Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Director:  Billy Wilder
Cast:  William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson

Saw this film in my other film class a few weeks back and didn't think to review it till now. -.-

PLOT:  This film tells us its only intent is to serve as a shining example of film noir in the very first scene, as a deceased Joe Gillis (William Holden) is describing to us what has happened to him as his lifeless body floats in a pool.

In life, Joe was an unsuccessful screenwriter.  Lost without a purpose or a cause in life, he somehow finds his way to the home of Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a washed-up movie star from the silent era.  She takes him in and Joe finds himself in a world of the past; everything in Norma's house, from the furniture to the walls to her car and even to Norma herself is of the 1920s, a time long since forgotten by 1950.

In the meantime, Joe meets a budding young female writer, Betty Schaefer (Nancy Olson), with whom he secretly begins to work with on a script.  Norma continues to pet Joe, buying him expensive suits, jewelry and other gifts while he helps her make her "triumphant" return to the screen.  Joe realizes she's full of baloney and falls in love with Betty (YAY!)

In the meantime, Norma's butler, Max (Erich von Stroheim), comes to play a pivotal role in the film as he reveals to Joe that he was Norma's first husband.  In the end, Joe falls to his death at Norma's hands when she finally comes back to the present and realizes that he's left her for better things.

REVIEW:  I'm not a stoner and abhor the stuff, but this would probably be a great movie to watch stoned.  It is THAT trippy and the plot reminds one of Bob Seger's hit "Hollywood Nights."

Interestingly enough, while this film is highly regarded today, it didn't get a lot of positive feedback when it was released because by the 50s, the 20s were a skeleton in the closet.  Everyone was essentially "only thirty years old my ass" and no one wanted to hear, speak, or see of that long-forgotten period.  Same story with Singin' in the Rain.  Eventually, we all came to our senses and realized that the 20s were pretty darn cool, so we started making and watching more movies about them.

I'm gonna give this film 4 out of 5 stars because I hated Norma Desmond.  Nice guest star appearances by Cecil B. DeMille and Buster Keaton.

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