Sunset Blvd is a classic American film noir filmed in 1950 and a lesson in what refusing to grow old gracefully can result in.
Its director, Billy Wilder, directed other iconic films and Sunset Blvd was awarded three oscars. The setting for the film, as the title may suggest, is the classic boulevard running through Beverley Hills in Los Angeles. For many this is associated with money, opulence and fame.
The movie stars William Holden as screenplay and down on his luck bum and Gloria Swanson is the faded, glamorous Norma Desmond who used to be a big star in the silent movie industry.
The plot centers around Holden in character as Joe Gillis, a young screenplay writer who is down on his luck. He owes money and has dreams of grandeur, which his pay check can not compete with. He meets Norma Desmond, a now aging star of the silent screen, and given his limited options he agrees to write a screenplay for her to relaunch her career.
Norma falls in love with Joe and Joe falls in love with her money and through this mutually convenient situation they coexist. He tries to leave eventually, but she attempts suicide and manages to coax him back.
Desmond believes that her career will flourish again, but she is more mature in years now and the film company has no interest in her script.
However, unbeknown to Norma he is working on a private script with young writer Betty and he falls for her. When he tries to leave Norma the dramatic climax of the film sees a shot fired and Gillis floating in a swimming pool with sirens all around.
Her last line, often quoted is "I'm ready for my close up" showing how her mentally unstable mind is likening the events to being in a film and distorting what is actually happening.
The movie is pretty tragic and its themes of aging, greed and fame are still very significant today. The film has a timeless quality and has relevant themes that many people will relate to.
The character of Norma is treated with pity and pathos and although she does ultimately murder Joe, she is shown to be a product of the industry that she inhabits. An industry that eats her up and spits her out.
Her servants reinforce how important her look are to her and are always complimentary. They have learned to be this way. Youth and beauty are given priority over age and experience and they are a sad reminder of the values of our time. This gives the film a timeless perspective that will appeal to all.
The film Sunset Blvd provides an insightful look at the film industry and shows how wealth, fortune and fame can corrupt and destroy. Desmond's mental illness culminating at the end with Gillis' death shows how power has corrupted and then destroyed each character in different ways.
Joe, her lover's untimely death, is sad and wasteful, but he represents the exploitative force behind Desmond's demise. - 40726
Its director, Billy Wilder, directed other iconic films and Sunset Blvd was awarded three oscars. The setting for the film, as the title may suggest, is the classic boulevard running through Beverley Hills in Los Angeles. For many this is associated with money, opulence and fame.
The movie stars William Holden as screenplay and down on his luck bum and Gloria Swanson is the faded, glamorous Norma Desmond who used to be a big star in the silent movie industry.
The plot centers around Holden in character as Joe Gillis, a young screenplay writer who is down on his luck. He owes money and has dreams of grandeur, which his pay check can not compete with. He meets Norma Desmond, a now aging star of the silent screen, and given his limited options he agrees to write a screenplay for her to relaunch her career.
Norma falls in love with Joe and Joe falls in love with her money and through this mutually convenient situation they coexist. He tries to leave eventually, but she attempts suicide and manages to coax him back.
Desmond believes that her career will flourish again, but she is more mature in years now and the film company has no interest in her script.
However, unbeknown to Norma he is working on a private script with young writer Betty and he falls for her. When he tries to leave Norma the dramatic climax of the film sees a shot fired and Gillis floating in a swimming pool with sirens all around.
Her last line, often quoted is "I'm ready for my close up" showing how her mentally unstable mind is likening the events to being in a film and distorting what is actually happening.
The movie is pretty tragic and its themes of aging, greed and fame are still very significant today. The film has a timeless quality and has relevant themes that many people will relate to.
The character of Norma is treated with pity and pathos and although she does ultimately murder Joe, she is shown to be a product of the industry that she inhabits. An industry that eats her up and spits her out.
Her servants reinforce how important her look are to her and are always complimentary. They have learned to be this way. Youth and beauty are given priority over age and experience and they are a sad reminder of the values of our time. This gives the film a timeless perspective that will appeal to all.
The film Sunset Blvd provides an insightful look at the film industry and shows how wealth, fortune and fame can corrupt and destroy. Desmond's mental illness culminating at the end with Gillis' death shows how power has corrupted and then destroyed each character in different ways.
Joe, her lover's untimely death, is sad and wasteful, but he represents the exploitative force behind Desmond's demise. - 40726
About the Author:
Harry Potter films are similar to a new-age Star Wars. Movie Rental On Line These zombies are quick on their feet, and can track you down quicker that you'd think. If youre going to skip out on fans, at least have the decency to record a video welcome message or greeting.
No comments:
Post a Comment