Sunset Boluevard is another classic that could fit into multiple genres including film noir, comedy or drama. The primary theme of the plot is about a dysfunctional relationship between an old silent star, and a younger screenwriter.
The movie is set in the 50s ,where Silent movies are on their way to oblivion, and Hollywood is moving to the era of sound. The plot begins with police officers swarming into a mansion in Los Angeles, where the corpse of a dead man is lying, face down in a swimming pool.
The voice of the narrator tells us that he is the dead man in the pool, and leads us into the past where his tragic tale began. Joe Gillis, a down on his luck Hollywood screenwriter, is trying all he can, to sell his latest script to Paramount. His efforts are in vain, and soon he finds himself in a car chase, pursued by repossession men.
He escapes from them by turning into a driveway that leads to a garage. There is an old vintage car in the garage. After parking his car, Gillis discovers that he is inside of an upscale property. As he makes his way to the mansion, a woman whose appearance, is obscured by blinds, calls him and tells him he is late and asks him to come in.
Realizing it is a case of mistaken identity, Joe walks to the house and is let in by a mysterious older balding gentleman, who looks like a character from a gothic horror movie. Before Joe can explain the misunderstanding, the old man directs him to go up a set of stairs where he meets the woman who called out to him.
She is a middle aged lady. Joe realizes that she has mistaken him to be the coroner she had called to bury her pet monkey. Joe explains that there has been a misunderstanding ,and is asked to leave harshly by the woman. Joe then realizes that the elderly woman was a movie star from the silent era, whose popularity had dwindled as Hollywood had ushered in the era of sound.
She seems flattered that Joe recognized her but when he tells her he is a screenwriter, she offers him a job. She wants him to edit a screenplay of her adaptation of Salome, that she has written. She believes that this script would pave the way for her comeback into stardom.
Joe soon realizes that the screenplay is amateur and horrendous, but realizes that he can make some quick and easy money, by accepting the job. This decision would be the end of the line for Joe, as he is slowly drawn into Norma’s web of codependency.
Norma convinces Joe to stay the night, and the next day, to his surprise h realizes that Norma has brought all clothes he owns, to the mansion. She slowly takes over his freedom and life, by first having his car taken away by the creditors and limiting his travel.
She cuts him off from the world, and by buying him expensive clothes and sick mental games, traps him into being her lover. Joe finally manages to leave the mansion on one occasion, get back in touch with his friend and also finds the love of a younger woman. He and the woman begin to work on a screenplay.
However, Norma uses her demented but effective tactics to end the relationship. Joe realizes that he has lost it all, his life, his love and self respect. Is it too late? Joe also realizes that he is not the only one caught in her web of mind games.
The opening scene is a good indicator for how this story ends. The stellar performances of William Holden as Joe Gillis and Gloria Swanson as Norma hold the viewer’s attention in this morbid tale. Billy Wilder’s direction, the brilliant screenplay and superb camera-work make this movie a timeless classic.
It should be noted that by today’s standards, neither Swanson who played the silent movie actress Norma Desmond, nor her character would be considered old. Swanson was around 51 and Norma Demsmond is said to be 50.
There are some memorable scenes in the movie. There is one, where Norma does a Charlie Chaplin impersonation, to entertain Joe. Another is when she takes Joe for a trip to Hollywood studios to meet legendary director Cecil DeMille (played by himself) in an attempt to sell her script. She is welcomed by DeMille, but not for the reason she thinks.
This black comedy fits the criteria for Film Noir. Norma Desmond, who would be cherished, as the antagonist is nothing like the Femme Fatals who use their beauty and charm to seduce their men. Norma is a master of persuasion through sick psychological games, using her man’s guilt, pity and greed to keep him under her control.
Well received by critics of its time, the film received 10 nominations, including best actor and actress. It won Academy awards for story and screenplay, set decoration B&W and best scoring for a drama or comedy film. The film is considered one of the best Film Noir movies of all time and should not be missed by any movie lover.
Cast: William Holden, Gloria Swanson
Director: Billy Wilder
Quotes from the Film
Joe: I drove to head quarters. That’s how most of us thought of Schwab’s drug store.
Joe: Sometimes it is interesting to see how bad, bad writing can be.
Norma: I am big. It is the picture that got small.
Joe: She sat coiled up like a watch spring. Her cigarette clamped in a curious holder. I could sense her eyes on me from behind those dark glasses defying me not to read what I read. ..Or begging me in her own proud way to like it.
Norma:We didn’t need dialogue. We had faces!
Bay Area Bloke 