Fedora
Fedora

Fedora

1978Movie109 minEnglish

Down-on-his-luck Hollywood producer Barry 'Dutch' Detweiler attempts to lure Fedora, a famous but reclusive film actress, out of retirement, only to discover the horrifying truth behind her success.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes60%
Director: Billy WilderGenres: Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

A washed-up American actor travels to an isolated island in the South of France to convince a legendary but reclusive actress to reprise her role in a new film. He soon uncovers the dark and tragic secrets behind her self-imposed exile and her desperate attempts to maintain her youthful image.

Critical Reception

Billy Wilder's penultimate film, 'Fedora,' received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its stylish direction and exploration of themes like fame and aging, while others found its narrative convoluted and its tone uneven. Over time, it has gained a more appreciative following among cinephiles for its ambitious themes and Wilder's characteristic dark wit.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its ambitious exploration of the hollowness of Hollywood and the nature of stardom.
  • Criticized by some for its complex and somewhat melodramatic narrative structure.
  • Applauded for Billy Wilder's distinctive visual style and mature thematic concerns.

Google audience: Audience reception data is not widely available for Google Reviews for this film.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on the Greek island of Hydra, which served as a stand-in for the French Riviera estate of the reclusive actress.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Perhaps not one of Billy Wilder's most famous of films, but this penultimate effort is certainly one of his more intriguing. The story is told starting from the moment of the death of the actress "Fedora" (Marthe Keller) and so it is basica...