“Sunset Boulevard” is one of those films cinephiles praise. The 1950 noir picture was directed by Billy Wilder. It stars William Holden and Gloria Swanson, and despite a riveting first act, succumbs to absolute boredom before its lackluster conclusion. It’s deserving of its classic status. I’ve seen it ranked as high as #12 all time and that’s ridiculous. What I loved about it is the (then) original presentation.
“Sunset Boulevard” opens like a Tarantino film. We have a gruesome murder and a narrator who takes us back several months, and keeps us informed throughout. There’s snappy banter that seems out of place for 1950 but serves the dark comedy feel of the movie.
Joe Gillis (William Holden) is a wannabe screenwriter and the narrator of the film. Gillis is a fun character to get behind. We can envision ourselves in his shoes. He wants to be a successful Hollywood writer but doesn’t have the money to pay his rent. Joe meets Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) an aging starlet who longs for the silent picture era in which she was a star. “An older woman who’s well-to-do. A younger man who’s not doing too well.” Joe narrates. They don’t write lines like that anymore.
The noir atmosphere and intriguing start will keep you invested. The movie has an indie feel to it, and it’s obvious why it stood out at the time. As a fan of Old Hollywood, I appreciated the callbacks to two distant eras; the burgeoning glamor of the 50s as well as the long forgotten silent era that started it all. The cinematography will make you wish you were living in 1950 Los Angeles. Both lead actors do fine with the parts they are playing.
The failure comes from the painfully boring plot that seems to drag like an anvil. The film clocks in at 110 minutes and one can surmise the culprit as elongated scenes and several parts that should have been left on the editing room floor. And the score. It fits in with the time and does nothing but ruin the mood every time it plays. I found myself wishing for no background music at all several times.
I’m glad to have watched “Sunset Boulevard.” I respect its place. I understand its innovation. To a modern viewer, even one who loves history, it probably won‘t win your heart.
