Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard

 Sunset Boulevard, while not a noir in the sense of having a leading man who is a private eye or detective, is certainly a noir through its use of flashback, voiceover, and two strong female leads. The film was nominated for 11 Oscars and won four, one of which for original screenplay. The writing in this film is spectacular, keeping viewers spellbound to this satire of Hollywood elite. In addition, Billy Wilder's use of a dead narrator throughout is ingenious. The greatest clue to writing's success is that so many people have been captivated by this film despite knowing the ending of the film from the start. William Holden has a great turn as a down-on-his-luck man who is overwhemled by the elegance and drama of the high-life. However, his decision to leave comes to late and suffers the consequences. Gloria Swanson as a forgotten actress trying to make a comeback (sorry, return) to acting, representing the vanity and self-obsession of Hollywood culture. The film highlights the difficulty of having meaningful relationships when wealth gets in the way. Though released in 1950, Sunset Boulevard stands as a beautifully written, aesthetically compelling, and cutting satire of Hollywood culture.