Sunset Boulevard

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Shirley L Classic story of someone trying to break into the movie business and taken advantage of by an older star. I could have been a young woman being taken advantage of by an older male star for the same impact. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/24/21 Full Review Rebecca O The opening shot of this film is truly captivating. We follow police cars through Sunset Boulevard, leading to a dead body floating in a mansion's pool. We hear the cynical narration by the deceased protagonist, Joe Gillis. This is such a unique way to start the film and draw in the audience, a dead man who got too caught up with a long-forgotten star. I loved the overhead shot of Joe dead in the pool and the reflections of the police officers taking photos and examining the body. We hold on to that shot for quite some time, making the audience uncomfortable but all too curious. I watched this film for the first time four years ago and it wasn’t until I moved to LA that I really began to understand the themes and environment. We follow the characters through failure, faded fame, and obsession, and industry is truly what ended them. Norma could not stand to be forgotten even though her time in the spotlight had passed by and Joe was in it for the money and luxury. This shows the commentary on the destructive nature of Hollywood and fame including the way aging stars are treated once they are no longer relevant. Joe had failed time after time in his screenwriting that he slowly succumbed to Norma’s money. He stayed with her for a life of luxury that turned into Norma's obsession and possessiveness over him. They both were using each other for their gain thus creating an odd power imbalance. He needed her for her money and she needed him as an ego boost. This shows the lengths that artists take to “make it” within such a competitive industry. Overall this was a great film that was captivating from the start. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/19/24 Full Review Julian S Swanson doesn’t merely act like she understands this woman; she dives deep, pouring every part of herself into the performance. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/03/24 Full Review Teddy B Mysterious and direct at the same time, 'Sunset Boulevard' is equal parts tragic and thrilling. The characterisation of Norma Desmond is absolutely captivating with Gloria Swanson's performance. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Tony S Gloria Swanson plays a silent movie star who has been eclipsed by the talkies. Fabulously wealthy, she lives in a gigantic, but decaying mansion with her one servant. Enter William Holden, playing a down on his luck screenwriter. A Hollywood classic about classic Hollywood. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/22/24 Full Review Alec C In the world of Hollywood, the line between fact and fiction is kept blurry in the eye of the beholder! A desperate screenwriter gets entangled in the delusions of former film star Nora Desmond, which draws them both into a spiral of obsession, insanity and a detachment from reality. Darkly humorous but disturbingly relevant, we are caught up in the confusion and chaos that ensues which ends with no one getting a satisfying conclusion! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Sunset Boulevard

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