Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard

1950
Movie
110 min
English

A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.

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Insights

IMDb8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes98%
Metacritic99
Google Users94%
Director: Billy WilderGenres: Film Noir, Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

A struggling screenwriter, Joe Gillis, finds himself entangled with Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star living in a decaying mansion on Sunset Boulevard. He becomes her reluctant lover and ghostwriter, drawn into her delusional world where she dreams of a comeback. As Joe tries to escape her clutches, his desperate attempts to reclaim his own life lead to a tragic and darkly ironic end.

Critical Reception

Sunset Boulevard is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, lauded for its sharp writing, iconic performances, and unflinching look at Hollywood's darker side. Critics and audiences alike have praised its masterful blend of noir elements, psychological drama, and biting satire.

What Reviewers Say

  • A dark and cynical masterpiece that brilliantly skewers the Hollywood dream machine.
  • Gloria Swanson delivers a tour-de-force performance as the unforgettable Norma Desmond.
  • Masterful direction and writing create a timeless and haunting cinematic experience.

Google audience: Audiences consistently praise the film's compelling story, exceptional acting, particularly Gloria Swanson's iconic portrayal, and its enduring commentary on fame and the film industry. Many highlight its suspenseful atmosphere and shocking conclusion as particularly memorable.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning 3 (Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Original Score). Widely recognized on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies lists.

Fun Fact

Gloria Swanson's own real-life experiences with the silent film era and its decline heavily influenced her portrayal of Norma Desmond, making her performance deeply personal and authentic.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

5 reviews
MrDeltoid77

MrDeltoid77

IMHO...This is a straight up Horror film. A demented, faded star of the Silent era takes in a down on his luck writer... and basically keeps him as a boy toy/hostage. She has a creepy attraction to the much younger man. Her house and butl...
r96sk

r96sk

Ace! <em>'Sunset Boulevard'</em> is a splendid flick from 1950. I will note that I found the middle to be ever so slightly less interesting than the beginning and ending, though even so overall I most definitely enjoyed watching it. Love...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Gillis" (William Holden) is a down-at-heel script writer who is struggling to keep his head above water. Not having had any successes for a while, his car is about to be repossessed and his erstwhile boss "Sheldrake" (Fred Clark) has nothi...
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**One of the great films of Hollywood's golden age.** This movie is really special. Not only does it show us a lot about the world of Hollywood during its golden age, but it also reveals a lot about the actors' egos, vanities and their t...
Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

A classic for the must to be seen list. Gloria Swanson is magnificent.