Sunset Boulevard

1950 Film Noir

Cast:

Joe Gillis: William Holden

Norma Desmond: Gloria Swanson

Max von Mayerling: Erich von Stroheim

Betty Schaefer: Nancy Olson

Artie Green: Jack Webb

Director:

Billy Wilder

A struggling screenwriter develops a strange relationship with an aging silent film star who wants his help with her screenplay which is to be her vehicle for her triumphant return to motion pictures.

In the opening scene a murder has been reported. Our protagonist is floating face down in the pool. This is Joe Gillis (Holden). He was shot twice in the back and once in the stomach. Joe is also our narrator throughout the film.

In an effort to evade repo men, Joe Gillis, a screenwriter, drives his car into the garage of a decrepit Beverly Hills mansion. Due to a case of mistaken identity, he is ushered into the house by the butler (von Stroheim) who tells him "Madam is waiting". Madam is silent screen star Norma Desmond (Swanson).

When Norma learns that Joe is a screenwriter, she asks him to help her with her epic screenplay "Salome". She is under the delusion that Cecile B. DeMille (who makes a cameo appearance in the film) will accept the screenplay and hire her to play the role of Solome.

Joe, being an opportunist, agrees to help her. He is being well provided for and moves into the mansion. He becomes a kept man. It soon becomes apparent to him that Norma has serious mental issues. She soon falls in love with him.

Joe, in the meantime, is falling in love with another screenwriter (Olson) who happens to be the fiance of his good friend, Artie (Webb). They manage to find time to work on another screenplay together.

When Norma presents her script to DeMille, he treats her with the utmost respect due to her previous status as a great film star. But, he is clearly not going to make the movie.

Joe discovers that Norma's relationship with Max is much deeper than it seems. They have a past together and he is her protector.

In the end, Norma is too far gone to see the truth. The last scenes are both shocking and very sad. Max is devoted to Norma to the end.

Gloria Swanson was very bold in her portrayal of an aging film star. In some ways it reflected her own life. She was also a great silent film star, however she remained gracious and dignified and didn't shy away from roles that were appropriate for her age.

This is a brilliant and gripping film. One of William Holden's best. It was a stroke of genius to use the protagonist as the narrator as it made it all the more poignant and believable.

Boffo Buff