Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Sunset Boulevard
Raiting: 
8,5 /10
Genre: Drama
Director: Billy Wilder
Stars: William Holden, Gloria Swanson and Erich von Stroheim
Country: United States
Release date: 10 August 1950
Length: 110 minutes
"Sunset Blvd.", a film noir classic directed by Billy Wilder and released in 1950, begins with an unusual twist: the narration of a dead man. Joe Gillis, a struggling Hollywood screenwriter played by William Holden, recounts the events leading up to his demise. The movie opens with the discovery of Gillis's body floating in a swimming pool of a grand but decaying mansion on Sunset Boulevard.
Through a flashback, we learn that Gillis, while trying to elude repossession agents seeking his car, stumbles upon the mansion, which is inhabited by Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star portrayed by Gloria Swanson. Desperate for money, Gillis allows himself to be drawn into Norma's delusional world, where she dreams of making a triumphant return to the silver screen. Norma lives with her butler and former director, Max von Mayerling, played by Erich von Stroheim, who is fiercely protective and perpetuates her fantasies of a comeback.
Gillis becomes entangled in Norma's life, first agreeing to edit a script she has written for her return film—a retelling of Salome—and eventually becoming her kept man. As Gillis becomes more involved with Norma, he witnesses her instability and the extent of her disillusionment. Despite his better judgment, he is seduced by the comfortable lifestyle that Norma's wealth affords him.
Meanwhile, Gillis secretly works on a screenplay with Betty Schaefer, a young script reader played by Nancy Olson, with whom he develops a romantic relationship. This relationship represents a chance for Gillis to escape the toxic entrapment of Norma's world, but his dependency on Norma's patronage complicates matters. Norma, driven by jealousy and her obsession with Gillis, becomes increasingly erratic and possessive.
The tension reaches its peak when Norma discovers Gillis's screenplay with Betty and his intention to leave her. In a dramatic climax, Norma's madness leads her to shoot Gillis, resulting in his death and the iconic opening scene of the film. The final sequence shows Norma, having completely lost touch with reality, descending her grand staircase, believing she is on a movie set, ready for her close-up, as police and reporters look on.
"Sunset Blvd." is a dark and cynical look at the Hollywood machine and the price of fame, exploring themes of obsession, vanity, and the cruel passage of time. Billy Wilder's direction, combined with the stark black-and-white cinematography, creates a moody and atmospheric film that has become a cornerstone of the noir genre. The performances, especially Swanson's portrayal of the tragic Norma Desmond, are iconic, making "Sunset Blvd." a timeless tale of the dark side of the American dream.
Top cast - Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Trailer - Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Billy Wilder's "Sunset Blvd." is a film that stands as a towering achievement in cinema, a masterpiece that offers a scathing and poignant critique of Hollywood and the fickleness of fame. Released in 1950, this film noir is as much a dark tragedy as it is a compelling mystery, weaving a tale of desperation, delusion, and the destructive pursuit of relevance in a town that forgets its stars as quickly as it makes them.
From the opening scene, where we are introduced to Joe Gillis's lifeless body floating in a pool, Wilder reverses the narrative structure, compelling the audience to learn how Gillis's fate came to pass. William Holden delivers a standout performance as Gillis, the down-on-his-luck screenwriter, providing a cynical and at times sardonic voice-over that guides us through the underbelly of the dream factory that is Hollywood.
Gloria Swanson's portrayal of Norma Desmond, the forgotten silent film star, is nothing short of iconic. Swanson, a silent film star herself, brings authenticity and a haunting pathos to the role, embodying the grotesque grandeur and vulnerability of a woman unable to accept her fall from grace. The interplay between her and Holden is electric, filled with a tension that is both uncomfortable and utterly captivating.
Erich von Stroheim's performance as Max von Mayerling, the loyal butler and enabler to Norma's delusions, is another highlight of the film. His character adds depth to the narrative, revealing the complex, and often toxic, relationships that form behind the closed doors of those who were once adored by the public.
The cinematography by John F. Seitz is a character in its own right, masterfully using light and shadow to create a mood that oscillates between the glamour of old Hollywood and the grim reality of its discarded idols. The mansion that serves as Norma's sanctuary and prison is a gothic representation of her state of mind—opulent yet decaying, stuck in a time that has long passed.
"Sunset Blvd." is also notable for its daring, especially for its time, in pulling back the curtain on the less savory aspects of the film industry. Wilder's direction does not shy away from exposing the dark side of fame and the human cost of entertainment. The film also includes cameos from real Hollywood figures, blurring the line between its fictional world and the real-life Hollywood, adding to its sense of authenticity and self-reflexivity.
In conclusion, "Sunset Blvd." is a film that endures, not just as an artifact of its time, but as a timeless reminder of the perils of fame and the human desire for recognition. Wilder's film is a tour de force, a hauntingly beautiful and tragic tale that remains a benchmark for storytelling in cinema. Its legacy is well deserved, and it continues to resonate with audiences as a dark mirror reflecting the often unglamorous reality behind the silver screen.