“All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.”

Sunset Blvd., directed by Billy Wilder in 1950, is one of history’s most spectacular Film noir classics. This film is packed full of cynicism, sexuality, and mystery: the essence of the French genre. From the opening scene of a dead man floating in a pool, the audience knows they are in for a treat. The main character, Joe Gillis, is doomed to death from the start by his actions and the actions of those around him. Working as a struggling film writer in Hollywood doesn’t exactly make life easy. By happenstance, he stumbles across a rich former silent-film actress who needs a new companion. His decision to stay with the actress past her prime, Norma Desmond, turns out to be the worst decision he could possibly make. This is definitely a film to watch.

I truly enjoyed this classic Old Hollywood film. I never thought I would take pleasure in watching an older movie in black and white, but Sunset Blvd. took me by surprise. Not only was the plot interesting, but it was full of suspense and drama. While Norma Desmond is stuck in her dead acting career, Joe Gillis is just entering his career slump. The characters are extreme opposites but make a great dynamic pair. The difference in their career successes was something that struck me as interesting. Joe feels sorry for Norma because she is too old and still stuck in the lifestyle she wants to have. He treats her as if she’s a sad sight that will never make it in Hollywood again. However, Joe also is starting his spiral downwards. He feels sorry for Norma but at the same time his career is in the dumps. He can’t find work and none of his scripts are good enough anymore. They really are on the same playing field; Norma is just 20 years ahead (and CRAZY!).

This movie portrays the real character of Hollywood. Filmmaking is a cutthroat business and people are willing to deceive others to benefit themselves. There are only a few people you can really trust, and sometimes even these people let you down. One day you’re in, and the next day you’re out. Norma has been out for quite some time, but still lives in her bizarre dream-like life. She believes she is a true star and people around her don’t tell her any different. Although her character is dramatic and pompous, her psychological makeup is by far the most interesting part of the movie. Thus, I will end in one of my favorite Norma Desmond quotes:

“There once was a time in this business when I had the eyes of the whole world! But that wasn't good enough for them, oh no! They had to have the ears of the whole world too. So they opened their big mouths and out came talk. Talk! TALK!”