Film Review: 'Sunset Boulevard'

Sunset Boulevard is a movie directed by Billy Wilder. It was made in 1950 and was shot in black and white. The film's editor, Arthur Schmidt, did not focus on elaborate cuts or fades or wipes or anything special, but he did achieve a marvelous continuous story and narration interaction. The production of this film was very good, I liked that they got locations that really seemed to fit the script, like the Paramount's studios and the Desmond mansion. The use of music in this film was very effective, I was impressed with the soundtrack, the music did a great job of portraying the characters positions and attitudes throughout the film. During most of the moments with Norma having attacks of apparent insanity, the music would get very climactic. This film was successful in the sense of conveying a very powerful message of some of the problems in Hollywood. This film could have been much better with a good ending, but that is not what the Billy Wilder was trying to accomplish. Because of the ending, it becomes a film noir, something unexpected to much of the audience, but very appropriate for the theme.

This film actually had two or three previous actresses cast for the part of Norma Desmond, and eventually Gloria Swanson wound up playing the role. I think that it worked out very well, because she fit the part very well. Though I absolutely hated the character of Norma, I was impressed with her performance, nevertheless. I was much more comfortable with the performances of William Holden and Nancy Olsen as Joe and Betty, however. I feel like their performances were very moving. I paid a lot of attention to Nancy Olsen's character, because that is where many people like me are going to find themselves in a few short years from now, trying desperately trying to break into the industry and make a difference. So, that part of the movie really moved me personally.

This film's strongpoint is its writing. I was impressed with the storyline, even though the ending was miserable. I was very involved in this film, I was very upset at Norma for being so strange, and especially at Joe when he gave into her over and over again. I think the strongest points of the script were definitely the character developments of Joe and Norma. I also approve of the narration idea to carry throughout the story. Some of the weaker parts that I disliked were the reactions of Max and Betty during the revelations near the end of who Max really was and how Betty reacted when she found out what Joe was doing at the Desmond mansion. I think Max would have been a little more hurt, or he would not have been there at all. Betty really overreacted when she found out about Joe, it might have been a secret hard for Joe to describe, but what else could he have done?

This film was probably the strongest character-based film that we have watched this semester for the class. I learned that characters can have a huge impact even if the audience absolutely despises them. Norma was a terrible woman, and I hated her, but she demonstrated the crazy world we live in, and how fragile people really are behind their pride. Pride is a big issue that should be addressed more, but no one takes the risk. Billy Wilder took that risk, and that is what makes him a great director.