SUNSET BLVD. (1950)

Director:
Billy Wilder

Writer:

Billy Wilder
Charles Brackett

Starring:
William Holden
Gloria Sawnson
Erich von Stroheim and others

To call Billy Wilder a great storyteller would be an insult to truly the pioneer of the thriller genre. There is one thing common to all Wilder movies, the end of the movie is shown and then the movie progresses to describe as to how one reached that particular ending. Sensationally written this story is about a yesteryear's silent movie actress (Gloria Sawnson) who hires a young screenplay writer (William Holden) to compile a movie she has been writing for years. Swanson is mesmerizing and Holden is charming while the performances of the supporting actors especially Erich von Stroheim and Nancy Olsen are worthy of the Oscar nominations they received.

The screenplay is phenomenal and so is Wilder's direction. The climax sequence is exceptionally executed. One other thing I admire about Wilder is the dialogue writing in his movies. This movie too boasts of great dialogues and the banter between William Holden and Nancy Olsen at a New Years Eve party is truly memorable. This movie does miss the frantic pace of Double Indemnity but it is more than memorable in its own way.

Pranit’s Rating: 7/10