Billy Wilder’sSunset Boulevardis recognized as one of the greatest films of all time and a beloved entry in the classicfilm noir genreby the majority of classic cinema fans. The film starsWilliam Holdenas an aspiring screenwriter, Joe Gillis, who meets a former silent film star, Norma Desmond, played byGloria Swanson, whohires Gillis to write a script for her that would mark her comeback to the silver screen. As Desmond provides Gillis with affection and expensive gifts, her admiration gradually grows into a dangerous obsession that comes with deadly consequences.
Sunset Boulevardwas met with universal praise and received elevenOscarnominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress, and went on to win three of its nominations for Best Art Direction, Best Story, and Best Musical Score. While the film noir genre is chock-full of notableclassics,Sunset Boulevardreigns as the best of the best. Between its exceptional performances and the brilliance of Wilder, these are the reasons whySunset Boulevardis the greatest film noir of all time.
Sunset Boulevard
8Immersive Cinematography
It captures the magic of cinema.
John F. Seitzwas a renowned inventor and cinematographer who started his career during the silent era and, by 1916, he had established himself as a lead cameraman, earning initial notoriety for his collaborations with director,Rex Ingram. Seitz had previously worked with Wilder on other notable noirs, includingDouble IndemnityandThe Lost Weekend, and was a genuine master of his craft as well as an innovator whose techniques are frequently seen in movies today.
Seitz manages to utilize the natural light of the film’s Los Angeles and flawlessly transition into the darkness of Desmond’s Gothic, shadow-filled mansion…
Seitz’s work onSunset Boulevardeffortlessly immerses audiences into a dream-like state and stands out for the cinematographer’s flawless ability to bring light and darkness together in the same film. Seitz manages to utilize the natural light of the film’s Los Angeles and flawlessly transition into the darkness of Desmond’s Gothic, shadow-filled mansion without disturbing the designated noir tone. The film earned Seitz an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography and, despite not winning, he still undoubtedly plays a crucial role in the brilliance ofSunset Boulevard.
7Billy Wilder
A pioneer of classic film noir.
Oscar-winning director and screenwriterBilly Wilder was one of the most versatile and ingenious filmmakers who maintained a successful career for five decades. During the 1940s, Wilder became a prominent player in the film noir genre and his 1944 iconic film,Double Indemnity, not only set the standard for the genre but also earned the filmmaker an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The following year, Wilder won the Academy Award for both Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director for the classic noir,The Lost Weekend.
Wilder’s impeccable direction and artistic vision ofSunset Boulevardearned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director…
Recognized asone of Wilder’s most essential films,Sunset Boulevarddemonstrates the director’s willingness to broaden his horizons, deliveringa traditionally cynical noir blended with a spellbinding appeal that only a filmmaker of Wilder’s caliber could execute with such passion and precision. Wilder’s impeccable direction and artistic vision ofSunset Boulevardearned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director and went on to win the Golden Globe for Best Director. Considering Wilder’s early days in film noir and his impressive legacy and influence, there’s no denying that he was a defining factor in the success ofSunset Boulevardbeing the greatest film noir of all time.
6Award-Winning Story
A timeless tale of the Hollywood dream.
Known asone of the best film noir screenplays, the plot ofSunset Boulevardissimply fascinating and a main reason why the film stands to be the best film noir of all time. Written by Wilder,Charles Brackett, andD.M. Marshman, Jr., the story sticks to the basic elements of the film noir genre, but it flips the script by beginning at the end and recounting the events through a consistent flashback. The non-linear story structure immediately catches the audience’s attention and lures them completely in by the end of the opening scene.
…The plot is one for the ages and boldly exposes the dark side of Hollywood and the cutthroat turnover of the film industry.
Aside from the unexpected story structure adjustments, the plot is one for the ages and boldly exposes the dark side of Hollywood and the cutthroat turnover of the film industry. The two central characters, Desmond and Gillis, are at opposite ends of their career tracks,correlating the torrid aftermath of faded stardom and the hopeful ambition of those who come to Hollywood with a dream. The characters mix as well as oil and water, cultivating a recepie for disaster and drama that is like witnessing a train wreck that you’re able to’t tear your eyes away from watching.
5Gloria Swanson
A silent film star’s fitting return to the silver screen.
The ingenuity ofGloria Swanson playing Norma Desmond is that Desmond’s story hits a bit close to home for Swanson, who was once one of the biggest stars during the silent film era, and also qualifies as a vital reason whySunset Boulevardreigns supreme. During the 1920s, Swanson was one of the biggest box office draws and earned three Oscar nominations. As Swanson aged and the “talkies” started to emerge, her career began to decline but, unlike Desmond, the actress forged a new career path by establishing her own production company and returning to the stage.
Sunset Boulevardwas a major career comeback for Swanson…
Swansondelivers a showstopping performance inSunset Boulevardthat is as fierce and witty as it is unsettling and emotionally depraved, proving her raw and unwavering talent and command of the screen.Sunset Boulevardwas a major career comeback for Swanson, whose performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and the Golden Globe for Best Actress. While Swanson wasn’t Wilder’s first choice as one of the bestfemale villains in classic cinema, it’s hard to imagine any other actress who could even come close to topping Swanson’s unprecedented performance.
4William Holden
Hollywood’s golden boy turned cynical cad.
William Holden was a Paramount Pictures contract player who earned the title of the “Golden Boy of Hollywood” due to his endearing charm, dashing good-looks, and natural charisma. He earned his first starring role in the 1939 movie,Golden Boy, starringBarbara Stanwyck, and continued to appear in various films alongside big stars such asHumphrey Bogart,George Raft, andGlenn Ford. After serving in World War II, Holden returned to Hollywood and was offered the role of Gillis, unaware that his performance would be a defining moment in his career.
Holden expertly shifts his character between a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-type persona…
Holden deliversa sinfully sophisticated performance as a slightly arrogant and self-centered cad who symbolizes the mindset and motivation of many in Hollywood.Holden expertly shifts his character between a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-type persona, portraying himself as one way to Desmond and another to the outside world, which adds a touch of uncertainty and curiosity to the character.Sunset Boulevardearned Holden his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and even though he had already been a household name, the film’s success and his performance skyrocketed his career, making him one of the biggest stars of the 1950s.
3Erich von Stroheim
A minor role for a monumental man.
Erich von Stroheimis perhaps the most clever aspect ofSunset Boulevard, andalthough he plays a minor role as Desmond’s faithful butler, Max von Mayerling, he was a visionary director who defined the silent film era. Born in Vienna, Austria, von Stroheim arrived in Hollywood in 1914, where he started out working as a stuntman before moving into minor bit roles. AfterWorld War I, von Stroheim began writing and directing his own films, and introduced more worldly plots and noir-type qualities of psychological and sexual undertones into filmmaking.
Von Stroheim’s performance is a subtle tribute to the silent era…
His 1924 silent psychological thriller,Greed, is considered to be one of the most important films ever made and credited as one of the finest films of all time. Von Stroheim’s contributions to early cinema deems him to be one of the first autuer directors. Von Stroheim’s performance is a subtle tribute to the silent era, utilizing his facial expressions and physical mannerisms to deliver a mesmerizing performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.With von Stroheim’s notorious background and crucial influence on cinema, his performance is the icing on the cake ofSunset Boulevard.
2The Star-Studded Cameos
Familiar faces include Buster Keaton and Cecil B. DeMille.
There’s no denying thatSunset Boulevardisa sentimental tribute to the silent film era and one element that showcases this is the array of epic cameo appearances. While von Stroheim is a consistent player in the film, audiences catch a glimpse of big names like comedy icon,Buster Keaton,The King of Kingsstar,H.B. Warner, and the Swedish-American starlet,Anna Q. Nilsson, who are guests at one of Desmond’s bridge games.
It’s not uncommon for movies to feature unexpected cameos, but the ones featured inSunset Boulevardare incredibly thoughtful…
Throughout the film, other familiar faces are seen, including famed gossip columnist,Hedda Hopper, the musical team,Jay LivingstonandRay Evans, and, of course, award-winning filmmaker,Cecil B. DeMille, who actually worked with Swanson on a series of films and is credited for the actress' success. It’s not uncommon for movies to feature unexpected cameos, but the ones featured inSunset Boulevardare incredibly thoughtful and stand out with immense purpose, making them a valuable contribution to the film’s story and authentic portrait of Old Hollywood.
1The Iconic Finale
“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up.”
The final scene inSunset Boulevardhas become one of the most iconic in cinema history.The finale is an example of pure irony as Desmond slowly glides down the grand staircase, surrounded by reporters and cameras she remembers from her glory days, unaware that she has achieved her dreams of reclaiming her place in the spotlight, but not for the reason she had intended. While the scene itself is simply remarkable, Swanson’s final line, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up,” is considered to be one of the most famousmovie lines of all time.
… The final scene inSunset Boulevardis a definitive moment in cinema and one of the main reasons why the film is the best film noir of all time.
Overall, the final scene inSunset Boulevardis a definitive moment in cinema and one of the main reasons why the film is the best film noir of all time. The intense focus and command of Desmond’s presence creates a ghostly allure to the character that effortlessly lures the audience to the edge of their seats in anticipation. The suspense is elevated by the deafening silence as Swanson makes her way down to the crowd,ultimately transporting audiences into a silent film for a brief but moving moment that defines the magic of movies.
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