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Sunset Boulevard | Year: 1950 Classification: Themenwelten - Highlights unter 15 EUR - Komödie & Drama Directed: - Billy Wilder Actors/Actresses: - William Holden - Gloria Swanson The best story a corpse ever told! Not without reason is this one of the greatest films of all time. Never before had anyone dared to expose the seedy, depressing underside of the Hollywood rat race and no one has come close since( with the possible exception of Robert Altman, whose film The Player makes for a great double feature). Billy Wilder's tale of a far too original for his own good, down on his luck screenwriter who finds shelter in the home and arms of a delusional, washed up silent movie queen is the kind of story Recyclewood(TM) could only dream of making these days. Everything about this film works. The dialogue is sharp, biting and often humorous. The players are all cast perfectly, whether it be Gloria Swanson's silent era goddess Norma Desmond, William Holden's disillusioned writer Joe Gillis or former silent era director Erich Von Stroheim's turn as Norma's ex-husband/butler Max. Even the bit players are brilliant. Including Cecil B. DeMille as himself and former Hollywood legends H.B. Warner, Buster Keaton and Anna Q. Nilsson as Norma's bridge cronies(aka "waxworks"). The cinematography is beautifully flawless, especially within the confines of Norma Desmond's cavernous home. And the directing, well, it's Billy Wilder and he could do no wrong. If you are thinking about a career in the glittering shark tank, this is as good a cautionary tale as you'll ever see. Dark and Addictive--Melodrama at its best! Simply put, this is the greatest movie ever. And Gloria Swanson gave the greatest film performance in thie movie. You forget your Bette Davises, your "All About Eve"s, your "Titanic"s, your Katharine Hepburns, your Jack Nicholsons, and your "Citizen Kane"s. This--Hollywood will never produce anything better. A striking film, visually, emotionally, and in every sense, this is a dark, bitter, darkly comical study of what happens when a faded star (who was a bit out of touch with reality to begin with) clings a little too tightly to her gone days of fame. Gloria Swanson gives a phenomenally powerful, over-the-top performance as Norma Desmond, histrionic ex-silent film star. Bill Holden is fine as the down-and-out screenwriter from Dayton, Ohio, that accidentally gets mixed up with her. Max von Stroheim is magnificently creepy as Norma's devoted butler, and Nancy Olson is heartbreaking as the one innocent with no idea of the trouble that surrounds her. Every frame is perfectly filmed, every image marverlously conveyed, every line wonderfully spouted. Nothing is wrong or out of place. And practically every line is a classic. Most remember the last line of the film's insane conclusion: Norma, finally completely descended into madness, sweeping dramatically down the grand staircase as cops, reporters, and even Hedda Hopper look on; the music swells to a deafening height, and Norma--with that deranged look in her eyes--breathes, "I'm ready for my closeup..." But the best line of all, and the line that symbolizes everything that stands for the golden days of Hollywood, is spoken when Joe recognizes Norma and makes the mistake of saying, "You used to be big." She eyes him bitterly, raises her chin, looks down her nose at him and cries, "I AM big! It's the PICTURES that got smaller!" If you have to choose a movie to see one day, and can only choose one, don't let the opportunity go by. See this. Fascinating and Extremely Entertaining! This biting dark comedy is an example of Hollywood at it's best. Gloria Swanson delivers a powerhouse performance of gothic creepiness as aging silent-screen star Norma Desmond, ironically Swanson was big in silent films herself. William Holden also delivers a classic performance as Joe Gillis, a writer-gigolo that parks his car in the wrong house. Eric von Stroheim, silent film director of such classics as 'Greed', plays Max the Butler, Norma Desmonds greatest fan. A work of art by Billy Wilder, and probably his greatest movie. An extremely clever and witty screenplay creates fascinating characters and fills the movie with inside Hollywood jokes. One of the All Time Greats. Extras: spot Buster Keaton playing bridge. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film a 10! 11 Oscar Nominations, AFI top 100 film now on DVD!!!!!!!!!!! 1950 Hollywood was producing some real outstanding films. "Sunset Boulevard" was nominated for 11 Oscars; Best Picture, Best Director - Billy Wilder, Best Actor - William Holden, Best Actress - Gloria Swanson, Best Supporting Actor - Erich Von Stroheim, Best Supporting Acress - Nancy Olson, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing and won 3, Best ScreenPlay, Best Scoring For the first time on DVD this Paramount Collection "Special Collectors Edition" of Sunset Boulevard has been meticulously digitally remastered for our Home Theatre Viewing pleasure. Presented in a FULL SCREEN FORMAT (before WideScreen) the picture is crystal clear with Dolby Digital Sound. Summary: Norma Desmond (Swanson) aging star of silent films trys to make a come back using her own Screen play. Joe Gillis (Holden) failing young ambitious writer pretends to befriend This is a great Hollywood movie which is appreciated and enjoyed more now then when it was released in 1950. So sit back and experience "Sunset Boulevard" a must have picture for your DVD library. Enjoy. 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