Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding
Review: One critic I read touted the masterful dialogue in this movie, and after having seen it, I would say the hard-hitting and corrosive dialogue in this film literally singes the air, remembered long after the movie screen itself has faded. This classic 50's drama of the poisonous relationship between an influential and power-mad newspaper columnist, played by Burt Lancaster, and a corrupt and deperate press agent, played by Tony Curtis, still packs a considerable punch. I suspect Lancaster's character of J.J. Hunsecker was based on the life of Walter Winchell, but anyway, he portrays a manipulative gossip columnist who will stop at nothing to get his way. Curtis stars as the venal and morally bankrupt publicist, doing Lancaster's dirty work for him as he tries to get back into Hunsecker's good graces and his clients back into the pages of Hunsecker's influential and widely read column. The acerbic dialogue by Lehman and Odets is virtually over the top during much of the movie. The performances by Lancaster and Curtis are really outstanding, and it was also interesting watching them play real bad guys, rather than the good guys they normally seem to play. Set against a superbly and even menacingly realized backdrop of New York in the 1950s, Lancaster as the megalomaniacal political columnist and Curtis as the completely amoral publicist show one aspect of the soft underbelly of the Big Apple in the behind-the-scenes string-pulling dramatized in this film. All in all still a fine movie, as well as a still relevant commentary on the abuses of the mass media. Big Steve says go rent it and don't Bogart the popcorn.
Rating:
Summary: "AN APPLE MADE OF ARSENIC."
Review: One of the problems with studying in film school, being a movie buff and getting older is that at some point in ones' life a man ventures into the video store, peruses the shelves and reaches the conclusion that he has seen every movie worth seeing.I thought I was getting there until a few years ago when I heard about and checked out "The Sweet Smell of Success". It was like that with "Chinatown", which I never saw until the 1990s and now consider one of the best films ever. "Sweet Smell of Success" holds up totally even though it is black-white, set in 1957. Burt Lancaster is J.J., based on Walter Winchell, who was a leading accuser of Communists in the media. Tony Curtis is a lackey publicist who lives on the whim of those who pay him to place items in various columns, which means he must grovel at the feet of clients and columnists. J.J. plays him like a fiddle. This has lines so vitriolic and perfect, Frank Manciewics in "All About Eve" is no more biting, and Bette Davis in "Eve" bites with the best of 'em. Lancaster just fills the screen with irony and sardonic, hurtful wit. Curtis fends it off with skill, it is like a fencing match. Anybody who has any desire to study dialogue must watch and memorize this. Everything is tremendous; the acting, the directing, the score, the noir shadows of New York at night. The music is unreal, lots of horns, filling the room with its wailing sobs of a corrupt, naked city. A love story between J.J.'s little sis and a musician (Martin Milner I think, who was in "Adam 12"), is the heart of the story. It is the one true, good thing, but J.J. is a monster. Perhaps Bob Towne had this in mind when he cast John Huston to be an incestuos father in "Chinatown". The inference, being the '50s, is much more subtle but it seems J.J. has the hots for sis and wants nobody to have her. He brands the musician a Commie, using sycophant secondary journalists to keep his own hands clean. Any chance for this dark one to have a happy ending goes down the tubes when sis, as much to torment her bro, kills herself. Curtis is utterly ammoral. His picture appears in Webster's next to the word ammoral. Many films have played off this theme. "Swimming With Sharks" (1996, Kevin Spacey, Frank Whaley) comes to mind. If this could be 20 stars I'd give it 20. Steven Travers
Author of "Barry Bonds: Baseball's Superman"
straversca@aol.com
Rating: 
Summary: Two Great Shows of Ruthlessness
Review: Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) is a ruthlessly ambitious publicist in New York City of 1957. He relies upon the city's most powerful gossip columnist, J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) to print items that publicize his clients. But it's a game of give and take. Hunsecker expects something in return for his contributions to Falco's livelihood. As it happens, Hunsecker's younger sister Susie (Susan Harrison) has fallen in love with an up-and-coming jazz musician named Steve Dallas (Martin Milner), much to her brother's displeasure. Falco accepts the task of breaking up the relationship in exchange for Hunsecker's publicity,but even Sidney Falco doesn't imagine how far he might be willing to go to satisfy his ambitions. "Sweet Smell of Success" is based on the novella of the same name by Ernest Lehman and was adapted for the screen by Lehman and Clifford Odets. I can't say if this window into the dog-eat-dog world of tabloid journalism and media hype shocked audiences in 1957 when the film was first released. I don't think that a bleak urban landscape populated by sociopathic careerists is likely to surprise anyone now, though. And I didn't find the film's famously biting dialogue to be especially hard-hitting. But the story is still a good one. Burt Lancaster's chilling performance handily stands the test of time. J.J. Hunsecker is a vile, hateful human being utterly devoid of any redeeming characteristic. He never exchanges words with anyone without making a threat. His character didn't impress me as realistic, because he is completely lacking in tact and discretion. His threats are never veiled. My feeling is that such a person would have long ago perished at the hands of those he tries to manipulate if he had not learned to occasionally be coy in his machinations. But Burt Lancaster is able to sell Hunsecker as an imposing, threatening figure in spite of the man's over-the-top behavior. Lancaster endows the character with such presence that the audience believes Hunsecker might be realistic. It's a great performance. The character of Sidney Falco was essentially a self-obsessed yuppie poseur before such a creature had a name. Tony Curtis' fine performance gave birth to a stereotype that we continue to see in many films today. So I'm recommending "Sweet Smell of Success" for the performances in particular. The DVD: Subtitles are available in French and Spanish, and dubbing is available in French. One theatrical trailer is included.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Since I really despise long-winded, puffed up pseudo-intellectual reviews, I'll keep this simple. This flick is INTENSE! It's dark and dirty film noir at its finest with lead characters you love to hate. Do yourself a favor and add this film to your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute power corrupts absolutely
Review: Since I really despise long-winded, puffed up pseudo-intellectual reviews, I'll keep this simple. This flick is INTENSE! It's dark and dirty film noir at its finest with lead characters you love to hate. Do yourself a favor and add this film to your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Here's some dynamite trivia!!
Review: Susan Harrison, who plays Burt Lancaster's kid sister in this film is the real-life mother of none other than TV millionaire bride Darva Conger!!
Rating:
Summary: "You're a cookie filled with arsenic."
Review: Sweet Smell of Success is not only an example of a quintessential film noir, it is also a quintessential movie about New York City. As J.J. Hunsecker puts it so well, "I love this dirty town." This is a tough, gritty, uncompromising film with dialogue that crackles and pops (in some respects, David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross is a homage to this movie) with intensity as the various characters trade barbs with each other. The film belongs to Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster. Both were huge stars at the time and cast themselves against type in this movie. Naturally, the film tanked when it was released but it has since become a much admired and imitated film (Oliver Stone has said that a lot of his movie, Wall Street, was inspired by Sweet Smell). Curtis is note perfect as a slimy agent who'll do anything to get his clients promoted and climb the social ladder. This puts him at odds with the most powerful columnist in the city--J.J. Hunsecker, played by Lancaster. J.J. can kill careers with a few words and it is this power that makes him such a dangerous person. The film also features stunning black and white cinematography that is moody and atmospheric. New York City has never looked so dark and foreboding. The camerawork is rich and textured and it is fascinating to see a New York City that just doesn't exist anymore. Watching this film is like stepping into a time machine. The DVD is a bit of letdown. The transfer could be better. I noticed scratches and dirt on the print. And the lack of extras is unexcusable. C'mon, a retrospective documentary with film historians and Tony Curtis (who is still alive) would've been nice. The studio really dropped the ball in that respect. A classic like this one deserves more respect.
Rating:
Summary: Ultra Slick and Uniquely
Review: Thanks to Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman this bleak film hits all the right nerves with ferocity. All the darkest actions of human nature are on display here . Walter Winchell is the J.J. Hunsecker that has an open menu for anything that will feed his ego.Its here that Tony Curtis really showed his mettle in a very caustic performance that made folks take notice. A one of kind film that may never be duplicated ever!
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece theater.
Review: The dialogue in this film makes me salivate. Ernest Lehman's script is so juicy, so dripping with energy that it leaves an indelible impression on you. The photography by James Wong Howe(Cinematographer god) doesn't hurt the film in the least. On the contrary(obviously), the film looks incredible. I once read that Curtis Hanson said he was heavily influenced(for L.A. CONFIDENTIAL) by this film in terms of the gritty atmosphere of the city. I think that is a perfect influence to have. This film is spectacular. Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster are never as funny as when their full of fiery contempt. I would quote a few lines here, but there's far too many good ones(For a good sampling of these quotable lines- watch DINER). If your a fan of noir films at all- you'll love it(and you've probably already seen it) A true masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: HARD TO TELL WHAT'S GOING ON.
Review: The dialogue moves along so fast, and the plot is so sketchy, that I had a difficult time understanding it. I know that many viewers feel the same way but don't want to bother writing a review: most reviews are positive. So think this one over.
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