Joe Gillis (William Holden) is a struggling screenwriter unable to get a paying job. Whilst trying to avoid having his car repossessed he stumbles into the home of forgotten silent film star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). Norma still dreams of a return to the limelight and latches onto Joe both as someone to be on her arm and a ghost writer to polish the script she hopes will put her back to her rightful position in Hollywood. 

Opening with a dead body in a pool the film jumps back six months to Gillis and Desmond meeting. Whilst Gillis initially rails against the idea of being kept he seems to start to enjoy the prospect. Even to the point that he becomes conflicted when a side writing project with a studio writer Betty Schaefer (Nancy Olson) appears to be bearing fruit both professionally and romantically. The other relationship that bears emotional heft is that of  Desmond’s butler Max (Erich Von Stroheim) who has a personal link to Desmond that we will find out over the course of the film. 

Billy Wilder’s 1950 film is often cited as the greatest film about making films. With a plot line that bears close resemblance to real life events it uses real industry names and even has huge figures playing themselves including Cecil B. DeMille, H. B. Warner and Buster Keaton. Some knowledge of this prior to viewing is certain to give you a more fulfilling viewing experience. 

Sunset Boulevard is a film classic that I have always meant to get round to watching and for some reason have never managed until now. Unfortunately I am going to have to admit to being rather disappointed. 

The one facet of the film that I thought was spectacular was Gloria Swanson’s performance as Norma Desmond. Her performance takes some pretty brave leaps that could have come across as over the top but work in the context of the film. She also delivers two classic lines that will forever be etched into film history. “I am big, it’s the pictures that got small” and “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up”. 

The facets of the film that I did not enjoy though all relate to Holden’s performance. Firstly he is lumbered with giving a persistent narration across the entire course of the film that I found to be flat and distracting. Secondly I did not really detect any chemistry between him and either of his romantic interests. 

One to respect rather than admire and of course I am glad to have seen one more essential film. I actually think this is the sort of film that could receive the remake treatment and have considerable merit. Gillian Anderson, Ryan Gosling, Ralph Fiennes and Emma Stone in the lead roles with someone like Spielberg or Del Toro directing.