Billy Wilder's 1940 classic, Sunset Boulevard, is a cinematic ghost story that hauntingly exposes the darker side of Hollywood's golden age. On its surface, it appears to be a biting satire and LA noir, but beneath lies a tale of how the screenwriter is always the loser and the chump.
The film tells the story of Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a reclusive former silent movie star who has retreated to the dark corners of her mind. She's been waiting for someone - anyone - to appreciate her genius, but Joe Gillis (William Holden) is merely a temporary placeholder in her twisted game.
As a screenwriter himself, Wilder expertly skewers the industry he knows so well. The film's script, co-written with Charles Brackett and DM Marshman Jr., is superb and still holds up today. It's a sobering commentary on the dangers of cinephilia and Hollywood ancestor worship.
The setting itself - Sunset Boulevard - becomes an eerie and macabre backdrop for the story. It's as if the street name is a warning, a harbinger of doom that signals the tragic events that unfold.
Swanson shines as Norma Desmond, delivering a performance that's both crazed and intense, yet never absurd. Her portrayal is a masterclass in acting, with lines like "I am big; it's the pictures that got small" becoming iconic status.
The film's cameos from other Hollywood legends - Cecil B DeMille, Buster Keaton, and Hedda Hopper - add to its self-referential nature. But beneath the surface of these references lies a warning about the perils of idolizing the past.
Sunset Boulevard is more than just a cautionary tale; it's also a tribute to the innovative spirit of early cinema. The film reminds us that movies are pure innovation, not quaint relics of a bygone era.
The tragedy of Sunset Boulevard is that no one after this film had the intelligence to use Swanson's unique style and comic flair. She transitioned to the talkies but only featured in three more films afterwards. This was her masterpiece, a work that would stand the test of time long after she retired from acting.
Overall, Sunset Boulevard is a haunting and thought-provoking classic that continues to captivate audiences with its timeless themes and expertly crafted storytelling.
The film tells the story of Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a reclusive former silent movie star who has retreated to the dark corners of her mind. She's been waiting for someone - anyone - to appreciate her genius, but Joe Gillis (William Holden) is merely a temporary placeholder in her twisted game.
As a screenwriter himself, Wilder expertly skewers the industry he knows so well. The film's script, co-written with Charles Brackett and DM Marshman Jr., is superb and still holds up today. It's a sobering commentary on the dangers of cinephilia and Hollywood ancestor worship.
The setting itself - Sunset Boulevard - becomes an eerie and macabre backdrop for the story. It's as if the street name is a warning, a harbinger of doom that signals the tragic events that unfold.
Swanson shines as Norma Desmond, delivering a performance that's both crazed and intense, yet never absurd. Her portrayal is a masterclass in acting, with lines like "I am big; it's the pictures that got small" becoming iconic status.
The film's cameos from other Hollywood legends - Cecil B DeMille, Buster Keaton, and Hedda Hopper - add to its self-referential nature. But beneath the surface of these references lies a warning about the perils of idolizing the past.
Sunset Boulevard is more than just a cautionary tale; it's also a tribute to the innovative spirit of early cinema. The film reminds us that movies are pure innovation, not quaint relics of a bygone era.
The tragedy of Sunset Boulevard is that no one after this film had the intelligence to use Swanson's unique style and comic flair. She transitioned to the talkies but only featured in three more films afterwards. This was her masterpiece, a work that would stand the test of time long after she retired from acting.
Overall, Sunset Boulevard is a haunting and thought-provoking classic that continues to captivate audiences with its timeless themes and expertly crafted storytelling.
i mean norma desmond is literally the queen of manipulation and joe gillis is just her pawn what's wild is that billy wilder himself was a screenwriter and he totally skewers the industry in this film. and gloria swanson's performance is INSANE she's so crazy intense but also hilariously over-the-top 
i love how the cameos from other hollywood legends add to the self-referential nature of the film, but at the same time, it's a total warning about idolizing the past. and can we talk about how tragic it is that no one else could replicate swanson's style after she transitioned to talkies? 
anyway, sunset boulevard is like this timeless masterpiece that still holds up today 
I mean, have you seen how Billy Wilder just skewers the Hollywood industry in this film? It's like he's holding up a mirror to the whole system and showing us all our own flaws. And Gloria Swanson's performance is just iconic – she embodies that character of Norma Desmond so perfectly it's scary. But what I love most about Sunset Boulevard is how it makes you think about the past, but also the power of innovation in cinema. It's like, we can't let ourselves get too caught up in nostalgia for old movies, because they're not just relics – they're still influencing the industry today. 
Norma Desmond's character is so complex and interesting, she's like a real-life legend from another time period. Swanson's performance is insane, I love how intense and unhinged she gets throughout the movie. The cameos are so fun too, it's like Wilder is winking at us and saying "Hey, this is all about me". 
. anyway, what do you guys think is the most iconic aspect of sunset boulevard? is it the eerie atmosphere, or maybe norma desmond's infamous "i am big" line 
. And Gloria Swanson's performance as Norma Desmond? Absolutely iconic 
. But what really gets me is how the film highlights the struggles of being a creative person in an industry that often prioritizes profit over passion 
. It's like, Wilder is holding up a mirror to Hollywood and saying "hey, you guys need to wake up" 
. And I'm here for it 
. And what's up with the cameos from old Hollywood legends? Is Wilder trying to say something about nostalgia and the perils of idolizing the past, or is it just a bunch of Easter eggs for film buffs? I need some more context, stat 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, Sunset Boulevard is a classic and all that, but it's just so... predictable 
It's just a bunch of rich people being rich and famous 
. And don't even get me started on how Norma Desmond is basically the ultimate symbol of toxic femininity 
. Gloria Swanson's performance is iconic, but it's also super intense and unsettling 
. Like, can we talk about how messed up this film is? 
just saw that there's been another massive water main break in NYC 
it's like they can't even keep the pipes from bursting anymore 
and now people are having to deal with flooding and mess everywhere 
! Billy Wilder's direction is pure genius. The way he weaves together the dark side of Hollywood with Norma Desmond's twisted tale is just masterful. I love how the script holds up even today - it's like a time capsule of 40s cinema. But what really gets me is how the film's themes still resonate today 
. The cameos are just the cherry on top 
, adding to the film's self-referential nature. Have you seen it in a long time? 
. Swanson's performance is iconic, I guess... not because she's an amazing actress, but because we can all relate to her delusional obsession with being relevant 
.
. The way Billy Wilder skewers the Hollywood industry is so sharp, it's like he's poking a stick at you from behind his screen 
. But what really gets me is how much the film relies on its setting - Sunset Boulevard - to create this eerie atmosphere 
. It's like Wilder knew exactly how to tap into our collective unease about the darker side of fame 
.