Sunset Boulevard

Just watched this film tonight with my good friend Joel Cooper. Little side note: it's actually the first movie I have ever checked out from the media library! I know, I'm a senior right? But what a great tool regardless! Anyways so this film, made by Billy Wilder, is a timeless masterpiece. Having been made in 1950, it tackles a whole variety of controversial topics that not many films of that time would go. Suicide, infidelity, a young man taking advantage of a middle-aged woman, all of these are included in this classic.

What really sells it it, is the performances by Gloria Swanson and William Holden. Their chemistry on the screen was awe-inspiring. Holden's character, a down on his luck Hollywood writer, comes across a rich, aging film star from the silent era, who ends up taking Holden in to edit a script for her. Her character is lost in her past fame and stardom and is trying to get back on the screen. William agrees to help her, and in exchange she takes him in under romantic pretenses and showers him with gifts and adoration. Eventually Holden's character is uneasy about taking advantage of her love for him, and tries to find a way to get out of this unhealthy relationship.

This film really explores the fallacies of being lost in what use to have been so much so that you miss the world changing around you. Swanson's character would be described as someone who is entirely lost in her on press. She is unaware of the fact that her fame has come in gone, and she still expects to be treated as she was 30 years prior. This is what ultimately leads to the demise of her and Holden's character. This film also really explains the world of Hollywood and there is even a guest appearance by Cecil B. DeMille! Overall, an amazing piece that you all should see!

'Nough Said,
~Miles