Sunset Boulevard

Name: Sunset Boulevard
Genre: Drama, Film-Noir
Released: August 10, 1950
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 94
Cast: Gloria Swanson, William Holden

1950

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Universal acclaim based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 95 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 95 Ratings

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Sunset Boulevard

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: August 10, 1950 | Passed

Starring: Gloria Swanson, William Holden

Summary: Billy Wilder's 1950 classic stars Gloria Swanson as has-been silent film star Norma Desmond.

Director: Billy Wilder

Genre(s): Drama, Film-Noir

Rating: Passed

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

No other motion picture about Hollywood comes near Billy Wilder's searing, uncompromising and utterly fascinating portrait of the film community. Read full review

100

Noel Murray

Although Billy Wilder's 1950 Hollywood noir Sunset Boulevard gets less attention as a travelogue, it's both an examination of the dark psychological landscape of out-of-fashion show-business types (as underlined by the title) and an actual trip through its physical environment. Read full review

100

The Observer (UK) Philip French

Still the best, most penetrating picture about Hollywood, its surface charm, its underlying cruelty, its lack of interest in its own history, its ruthless disregard for failure. The casting is perfect. [16 Mar 2003, p.7]

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

This is an unmissable commentary on Hollywood's rejection of its silent past: a kind of Sobbin' in the Rain. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

The picture is more than a brilliant exercise in moviemaking techniques; it is also a blistering commentary on Hollywood manners & morals. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

What's not recognized enough is the indelible, self-sickened performance of William Holden as Desmond's boy-toy/hired hack. Read full review

Pauline Kael

This brittle satiric tribute to Hollywood's leopard-skin past--it's narrated by a corpse-- is almost too clever, yet it's at its best in this cleverness, and is slightly banal in the sequences dealing with a normal girl (Nancy Olson) and modern Hollywood.

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User Reviews

DavidS.

Jul 18, 2009

One of the most extraordinary filmed works ever made. The writing, acting, direction and photography are first class. The connection between the real Gloria Swanson and Max the butler is worth researching.

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BrianE

Feb 3, 2007

This is seriously my favorite movie of all time. The writing is sooo good, it seems impossible that it came from just two people. Gloria Swanson is amazing in this and deserved the Oscar, as did William Holden. I loved every frame of it.

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Compi24

Aug 22, 2018

Not exactly a hot take here, but this is nothing short of one of Billy Wilder's best works and one of the greatest film noirs ever made. The narrative, the structure, the dialogue, the acting, the camerawork - this is one of those impeccably rare occasions where every aspect of a film is soNot exactly a hot take here, but this is nothing short of one of Billy Wilder's best works and one of the greatest film noirs ever made. The narrative, the structure, the dialogue, the acting, the camerawork - this is one of those impeccably rare occasions where every aspect of a film is so unbelievably well-executed that it really doesn't age. An easy, easy classic and one that should be seen by many, if not all, at one point or another.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieGuys

Apr 23, 2014

Sunset Boulevard is yet another amazing Billy Wilder movie that has its place in cinematic history. The performances are all great, and the story is moving and emotional without being cheesy. What a wonderful movie.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

tonykurebusu

Aug 20, 2023

The Norma Desmond replaced her beloved pet chimpanzee with the main character.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

May 26, 2015

It is damn near impossible to say something bad about Sunset Boulevard. A classic in every sense of the word, this one shows why Billy Wilder's work is so critically acclaimed. Brilliant directed, paced, written, and some great acting from William Holden and Gloria Swanson, come together toIt is damn near impossible to say something bad about Sunset Boulevard. A classic in every sense of the word, this one shows why Billy Wilder's work is so critically acclaimed. Brilliant directed, paced, written, and some great acting from William Holden and Gloria Swanson, come together to form one of the most well-known and popular film noirs of all-time. Riveting throughout, this one tells the story of Hollywood gone wrong and really all comes together well. The narration and identity of the narrator were both great, great touches that really worked wonders for the film. The characters are all well-written and, oddly, sympathetic. Overall, Sunset Boulevard is a really cool film that I cannot recommend enough. Though it may not be my favorite film ever obviously, it is still really, really good and you can easily see why it has gotten the praise it has over the years.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Broyax

Oct 26, 2018

On a déjà vu des films de ce genre qui traitent de vieilles gloires surannées du cinéma muet et qui n'ont pas passé le cap du parlant... et là blablabla... c'est le drame (si j'ose dire).

A l'époque en 1950, peut-être que ça interpellait un certain public nostalgique mais de là à en faireOn a déjà vu des films de ce genre qui traitent de vieilles gloires surannées du cinéma muet et qui n'ont pas passé le cap du parlant... et là blablabla... c'est le drame (si j'ose dire).

A l'époque en 1950, peut-être que ça interpellait un certain public nostalgique mais de là à en faire une patate chaude de presque deux plombes, faudrait pas pousser Mamie dans les orties. Donc c'est William Holden qui s'y colle et je n'ai a priori rien contre lui, car ce n'est certainement pas le pire bellâtre de ce temps-là. Loin de là, même.

Et William donc, scénariste minable devient gigolo à son insu ou pas totalement de la... (j'allais écrire la vieille bique, n'exagérons rien) de la vieille dame encore chouette mais pas tout-à-fait qui n'a pas encore imprimé que "le changement, c'est maintenant". La voix off tente de mettre du liant à cette histoire qui endormirait une tortue mais sans succès, hélas.

Parce que de toute façon, pour blablater ça blablate, ça déblatère et on pique du nez à vitesse grand V. La mise en scène de poisson crevé dans le coma n'aide pas non plus à tenir la rampe tandis que la "star" du muet est décidément très loquace et une caricature totale, sans nuance et sans talent, y compris jusqu'à la fin grotesque.

Remarquez, j'ai presque eu un film muet la plupart du temps : pendant qu'on accélére avec la télécommande, on entend plus leurs conneries. Ouf.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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