'

Sweet Smell of Success

Play trailer

Sweet Smell of Success

Released Jun 27, 1957

1h 36m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan (Susan Harrison), who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas (Marty Milner). Hunsecker strongly disproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Sweet Smell of Success boasts a top-notch cast, sharp direction, atmospheric cinematography, and an appropriately jazzy score, making it one of the best noir crime thrillers ever made.

Read Critics Reviews

SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

Despite some shrill overstatements that remind one that Clifford Odets had a hand in the screenplay, the film is a highly successful product of what might be called the "New York School" of filmmaking.

Nov 17, 2021

Full Review

Brandon Judell

IndieWire

That Clifford Odets co-wrote the screenplay explains the film's continued ability to fascinate, but not why it was made into a current musical.

Jun 15, 2021

Full Review

Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

It's a tough tale about utterly amoral people. I thought the ending rather weak bet for most of the footage the film packs plenty of punch.

Aug 10, 2020

Full Review

Tony Sloman

Radio Times

...t remains a milestone tribute to its canny British director Alexander Mackendrick.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 6, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Even a three-course meal consisting of lobster bisque, a medium-rare steak, and creme brulee doesn’t come close to matching the exquisite, juicy taste of the dialogue slung around in this riveting drama written by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 10, 2024

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Curtis is like oil and oil...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 18, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Alejandro E

By themselves, the names Curtis and Lancaster are a magnet. As a film noir, it brings the immoral and dark side of journalism to the table. It would be a waste not to see it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

Full Review

Peter H

this rarely happens for me but I couldn't get through it. I had no empathy or fasciantion with any of the characters.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

William B

Such a masterpiece. Excellent movie. Recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

Full Review

Larry T

This movie dives deep into the film noir genre, more than a decade in. The dialogue is so heavily overwritten as to invite comparisons with Shakespeare due to the constant need to contemplate what exactly the characters are trying to say. It’s one of several ways this picture has captured so many fans. The appeal of Tony and Burt add mightily to this film as well. It’s a must see.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/25

Full Review

Lee C

Great story, great acting, and generally ahead of its time. Highly recommended.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

Full Review

Tom F

Beautifully shot and acted story about desperate white men in suits elevating minor personal beefs into a high stakes game.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Alexander Mackendrick

Director

Burt Lancaster

J.J. Hunsecker

Tony Curtis

Sidney Falco

Martin Milner

Steve Dallas

Barbara Nichols

Rita

Susan Harrison

Susan Hunsecker

The Long, Hot Summer

86%

82%

The Long, Hot Summer

Watchlist

The Bachelor Party

80%

53%

The Bachelor Party

Watchlist

A Face in the Crowd

89%

94%

A Face in the Crowd

Watchlist

Some Came Running

78%

76%

Some Came Running

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Some Came Running

The Big Knife

91%

60%

The Big Knife

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan (Susan Harrison), who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas (Marty Milner). Hunsecker strongly disproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.

Director: Alexander Mackendrick
Producer: James Hill
Screenwriter: Ernest Lehman, Clifford Odets
Distributor: United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Norma Productions, Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 27, 1957, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 29, 2017
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Mono

Most Popular at Home Now