SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
75TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION
Even after 75 years, this remains the definitive Hollywood exposé. From the opening underwater shot looking up at William Holden’s corpse to the final image of Gloria Swanson advancing on the camera, this is one of the most cogent expressions of Billy Wilder’s cynical yet still romantic world view. The tale of a failing screenwriter Joe Gillis (Holden) who lets himself be kept by forgotten silent star Norma Desmond (Swanson) is one of the screen’s most trenchant views of Hollywood life. Yet it’s also clear that Wilder loves these characters, along with the other memorable figures in the film—young hopefuls like Nancy Olsen’s aspiring writer and holdovers from the past like Erich von Stroheim’s director-turned butler. Swanson delivers a career-capping performance in a role that was turned down by stars like Mary Pickford and Mae West, while Holden re-invents himself as a powerhouse actor.
d. Billy Wilder, 110m, DCP
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.