Rating: 
Summary: What a great movie should be! One of the best ever!
Review: This one is in my all time Top 10. Anyone who finds this film boring should stick to Wrestlemania. The script is outstanding , full of quotes you'll remember as long as you live. My favorite line is William Holden's (Joe Desmond) about Gloria Swanson (Norma Desmond) and her ill-fated comeback "There she was....waving at a parade that had long since passed her by". It is a wonderfully cynical look at the cold hard Hollywoood life. I could go on and on. Why isn't this great film on DVD? Get It!
Rating:
Summary: WAXING HOLLYWOOD's WORK ......................
Review: Volumes have been said about this incredible voyage of the lens into the mind and actions of a shelved, demented Silent Star. [Is anyone left from that period today?] The script is superb, reads like a play, became the musical [with it's own notorious track record of duelling Divas] There have been future forays into that territory [Bob Aldrich "Legend of Lylah Claire" an interesting alternate view - Kim Novak and Peter Finch]. BUT # 1 Auteur Billy Wilder's expose holds the patent. This is a prime seething, steaming pile of prime Hollywood manure, in its best sense. BILL HOLDEN is the Boy Toy [where, Oh where is that "comfort maleness" that Mr. Holden provided today?], and Nancy Olsen is the gal [very bemused too] inbetween, Star and object. Naturally, the older one becomes in this town, the closer this story comes home - disturbing and fascinating to see this work sporadically over the decades - there's ALWAYS something new to discover. It's the Star waiting for THAT comeback [err "Return"] but the phone never sings. Along the way a semi-young [no spring chicken] buck plunges into her life, with some baggage of his own, there's also the shadowy ratty Butler, and the doors without locks, and the noctural funeral rites ....... As we know - this movie has morphed into the musical [best pick? Elaine Page - Petula Clark, Miss Page does a spot-on Desmond/Swanson "interview" on her TV bio. well worth viewing. There's also Carol Burnett's show with her version - see, this Lady is here to Stay!] For the ultimate collectior : do find Helen Schneider's "Sunset Boulevard" - the German version, this lady WILL open your eyes! This is MISS GLORIA SWANSON's movie - she lived it, did it, survived it!
Rating:
Summary: Nothing tops this Original Classic
Review: Gloria Swanson was the definitive choice for the role of Nora Desmond in this classic story of an excentric aging silent screen star determined to make a come back. William Holden plays the out-of-luck young writer who sees the filthy rich Swanson as his meal ticket. Under the pretence of writing Swanson's come back script, Holden becomes the pretty boy giggolo to the psychotic older lady. -- Billy Wilder pulled out all of his tricks for this eye-candy of a movie. Re-makes don't come close to this original gem, and for God's sake stay away from the awful Andrew Lloyd Webber play! There is no substitute for the real McCoy; this original movie is the winner hands down!
Rating:
Summary: a spectacular movie!
Review: rated as one of the 25 most prominent US movies of all time, this is most certainly a top 5! Sunset Boulevard is not simply a movie with a razor sharp script and acting that classes next to citizen kane, gone with the wind, and all about eve, but it is a triumph for screen goddess, gloria swanson. it is sad, on her arrival to her "kingdom" that it is her off screen return as well. Swanson is the character, her call DE Mille "chief" as she used when neither voice could be heard, it makes you think of her earlier triumphs, quenn kelly especially. on oscar night this was head to head with classic all about eve, that triumphing in the best picture and supporting actor. best actress went to judy holliday, shockingly out doing swanson in her flawless portrayl of her own life. the final "staircase" scene is one to be remembered, the music swelling and her butler/ex-husband on looking as she is soon to be jailed is in line with garbo in queen christina and the "as God is my witness" is gone with the wind. this movie cannot be catigorised, it is a classic of all generes and a triumph over any "Movie"
Rating: 
Summary: What's all the fuss about?
Review: I really don't see why everyone here is giving this movie 5 stars. I found it to be slow, uneventful, and begging me to hit the fast-forward button--so I did. Overacting anyone? well I guess that what we expect from an ancient movie. Hmmph!
Rating:
Summary: Billy Wilder's classic drama starring William Holden
Review: Joe Gillis (William Holden) is a struggling Hollywood screenwriter who accidentally drives into the grounds of a big old house on Sunset Boulevard while trying to get away from two men intent on repossessing his car as he is behind with the payments. The owner of the house is old time movie actress Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) now forgotten by the public but who used to be big. ("I am big. It's the pictures that got small". - Swanson). Gillis tells her he is a Hollywood scriptwriter so she offers him a job to help her complete a script which she hopes will enable her to make a glorious "comeback" to the silver screen. The script is in fact so bad it would be unfilmable and although at first reluctant Gillis decides he will take advantage of the situation he has found himself in by agreeing to help with Norma's script. He realises that this will be a unique opportunity for him to hide from his creditors in this big house and live there rent free and get paid while making a pretense of working on the script. Also in the house is Norma's manservant and chauffeur Max (Erich von Stroheim) who helps to protect Norma from the realities of modern life and feeds her ego that she is still a great star. ("Madam is the greatest star of them all". - Stroheim). Gillis eventually starts to feel trapped and virtually becomes a prisoner in the house when he realises that Norma is becoming more and more infatuated with him (although he is years younger than her) and she becomes more possessive as the weeks go by. Gillis decides the time has now come to leave the house and return to his previous life but that is easier said than done when Norma Desmond has such a hold over him. Some favourite lines from the film: William Holden: "The poor dope. He always wanted a pool. Well in the end he got himself a pool - only the price turned out to be a little high". Holden: "Audiences don't know somebody sits down and writes a picture. They think the actors make it up as they go along". Holden (to Swanson): "Next time I'll bring my autograph album along - or maybe a hunk of cement, and ask for your footprint". Swanson (to Holden): "Still wonderful isn't it? And no dialogue - we didn't need dialogue. We had faces". Swanson: "All right Mr De Mille, I'm ready for my close up". At the Academy Award ceremonies that year "Sunset Boulevard" was deservedly nominated for the Best Picture Award but lost to "All About Eve". Billy Wilder was nominated as Best Director but lost to Joseph L. Mankiewicz for "All About Eve". William Holden was nominated as Best Actor but lost to Jose Ferrer in "Cyrano de Bergerac". Gloria Swanson was nominated as Best Actress (and surely should have won) but she lost to Judy Holliday in "Born Yesterday". This must have been a terrible disappointment for Billy Wilder when the film received so many major nominations and yet only managed to come away with Awards for Best Story and Screenplay, Best Score and Best Art Direction/Set Direction. The original choice for the part of Joe Gillis played in the film by William Holden was Montgomery Clift but he turned it down. The role was then offered to George Raft who turned it down also. However, William Holden was brilliant in the part and his excellent performance in this film led to him being offered many more prestigious leading roles. He once again worked with Billy Wilder in "Stalag 17" and "Sabrina". The role of Norma Desmond was first offered to Mary Pickford, Mae Murray and even Mae West before Swanson came under consideration. Gloria Swanson had not made a film for many years when she accepted the part in "Sunset Boulevard" and she was perfectly cast as Norma Desmond. "Sunset Boulevard" was without question one of Billy Wilder's best films and is now regarded as a "classic". It often appears on many people's "top ten" lists of the "Best Movies of All Time" and is definitely on mine! If you haven't yet seen this movie you are in for a rare treat - if you have seen it then I recommend you watch it again! "Sunset Boulevard" is a film that improves with each repeated viewing. A great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I first saw this film about a month ago expecting to see a campy, vampy classic the likes of which I hadn't seen since Mommie Dearest. Boy was I suprised! This film is not campy at all, it's a finely crafted work of art that fully engaged me in it's story of desperation. I was suprised by the richness and depth of characters all around, but espicailly by Norma Desmond. As over the top and outragous as Gloria Swanson is I never once didn't believe her. To achieve this level of believability and honesty from this character takes great craft. The story is dark and twisted with some new depth of character being revealed at the most suprising moments. Cinematography and lighting are astounding. I will never be able to forget the one close up shot of Norma on the movie set back lit by the sets lights. My breath was taken away and it was only one of many times. Sunset Boulevard is a film that will stay with me forever and one that's become a classic for one really good reason: It's a flawless production.
Rating:
Summary: A jewel!
Review: Easily one of the greatest films ever made! A perfect film in plot, cinematography, casting, editing....this film is perfect in every way! Gloria Swanson is wonderful as the lovestruck, tormented Norma Desmond. William Holden is equally perfect as the penniless screenwriter-turned-giggolo. There are outstanding performances by the supporting cast, particularly Eric Von Stroheim. This film is entertaining from beginning to end.
Rating:
Summary: And now Mr. DeMille...I'm ready for my close up!
Review: I LOVE this movie! This is the quintessential Hollywood film. Billy Wilder is a genius and this movie shows it! The screenplay is very original and has wonderful lines! Norma Desmond is a great character. Gloria Swanson was born to play th role because the character fits her like a glove. Swanson, just like Desmond, worked for director Cecil B. DeMille in the silent days, and was forgotten when the talkies emerged. I read in a book that Wilder wanted Mae West to play the role of Norma Desmond at first, but West became insulted by the thought of playing a has-been star who was no longer in her prime. Wilder also sought some others to play the role, but it was Gloria Swanson who jumped at the role when she first heard about it. This movie is a classic and there has never been another film like it, just as there has never been another character like Norma Desmond. This is film noir and Hollywood at it's best in this film...See if you can pick out who Norman's friends- the dim figures- are! See this movie!
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Movie of all time!! (After Titanic) GREAT!! :)
Review: This is the Best Movie of all time (after Titanic) Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond is brilliant! Her acting is marvelous, and she is very believable! She plays an old film star who still thinks people love her, even though they have forgotten about her. She is crazy and creepy all rolled up into one remarkable proformance! This movie is in black and white, but it's better like that then it would have been in color. This movie is demented and crazy, and I like it! I highly highly recommend this movie, and I simply cannot recommend it enough. I just had to buy this movie after seeing it in the Top 20 of AFI Top 100 films of all time. Buy this movie! It's the greatest masterpiece. I love it, I love it, I love it. :)
| 
