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At the risk of sounding trite, Sunset Boulevard is a really good movie. I watched it for the first time yesterday and fell in love with everything about it. Old school Hollywood mansion ✔️. Murder ✔️. Love ✔️. Aging movie star ✔️. A butler ✔️.
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A very meta film by Billy Wilder. Gloria Swanson plays Norma Desmond, a silent film star of a bygone era who has been pushed out of stardom with the rise of movies with sound.
William Holden plays Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter/playboy who finds himself in peculiar circumstances after his car blows a tire in the midst of being chased by some intimidating repo men and rolls right into Norma Desmond’s driveway.
Gloria Swanson is serving the kentiest of kent in her iconic role as Norma Desmond and it leaves ”not a crumb” to be swept up or whatever the kids are saying nowadays.
Gloria was a silent film actress for real reals, starring in the films of Cecil B. Demille (he is also in the movie). Like the movie, her real life silent film career was also put on pause when sound came to major motion pictures. Sunset Boulevard was considered her comeback, post silent-film era.
The film seamlessly blurred the lines between reality and fiction, and audiences perceived the film to be an actual representation of Gloria Swanson’s life. Though, in real life, Gloria Swanson was an inventress and fashion designer (article with more about this linked above) and had a thriving life post-silent film era.
The film is shot gorgeously in crisp black and white, keeps you hooked with strange and unexpected moments, sublime acting, directing, and dialogue. The film consistently wows me in every aspect, and is truly a must-see sight to behold.
Apr 28, 2024
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So many to choose from but this might top the list
Apr 28, 2024
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Not incredibly old and I hate who directed this film but what can I say… I love a 70s does film noir with my whole heart. I‘ve seen this movie at least 25 times and it truly never gets old. The soundtrack, Faye Dunaway being a babe, old and beautiful Los Angeles… the list goes on.
Apr 28, 2024
Top Recs from @will
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School made us think reading is a holy act. It is not. Its just something to do. Like watching a movie or sports. You aren’t going to be tested by anyone. Read high. Read drunk. Read 2 pages. Read half awake. Remember nothing or just some of it. It really doesn’t matter
May 2, 2024
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Just do it who cares she probably knows better
Feb 27, 2025
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Humbling. Nothing can stop this meat machine from rest.
Mar 25, 2025