Billy Wilder became known for making comedies, like The Seven Year Itch and The Apartment. He became famous before the comedies, for making serious films. One of Wilder’s most famous movies, is Sunset Blvd. He gives a lesson in camerawork. The shots range from far away, to extreme closeups. The majority of the film, takes place in the mansion of Norma Desmond, (Gloria Swanson). The images are mainly gloomy, haunted by Desmond’s past life, as a silent film star. She has pictures of herself everywhere. She even has a screening room to watch her old movies. The atmosphere is completed by Max Von Mayerling, (Erich von Stroheim). Max is Norma’s butler and chauffeur. He was the director, who discovered her. He was also her first husband, and still loves her.The character could be played by Boris Karloff, because he borders on eerie.
Norma Desmond’s life seems to take a turn in the right direction. This is when Joe Gillis, (William Holden), enters her life. Gillis, a failed screenwriter, tries to avoid his car being repossessed. He turns into Nora Desmond’s garage, because he gets a flat tire. She finds out who he is, and he agrees to write a script for her. Norma can’t grasp the reality, that she is a Hollywood has been. Gillis goes about his writing, moving into the house and becomes Norma Desmond’s lover.. The situation isn’t really to Joe Gillis’ liking, but he accepts it. His situation becomes barely tolerable, when creditors find his car, and tow it away. Gillis is reduced to riding in Nora’s old car, and going clothes shopping with her.
Even though Joe Gillis’ life seems bad, Nora feels good. She is ecstatic when the director, Cecil B. De Mille has been calling. She goes to the studio, to see him. There are still people at the studio who remember her. This is one of the best parts of this movie. It shows a faded film star, basking in the glow of her former glory. She even has a chat with DeMille, recalling old times. The director can’t bring himself to tell Norma, why he called. It was to rent her car, for a scene in his movie. An associate of DeMille’s asks why he bothered with a washed up star. He says that she was the one of the greatest and talented stars, that he knew.
Norma, not knowing the truth, begins planning her comeback. This is shown by Wilder, in scenes, with beauty treatments and massages, among other things. It is while this is going on, that Joe Gillis, hears from a Hollywood friend, Betty Schaefer, (Nancy Olson). She is a reader of movie scripts. She told Gillis, that she thinks one of his scripts has potential. Betty confesses to Joe, that she wants to be a screenwriter. She says she wants to work with Joe to polish up his script. Joe agrees, and the two work nights on the script. It is interesting that to get to Betty’s office; they have to walk through sets, for movies, while scripting a film. Joe and Betty, not only complete the script, but they fall in love.
Unfortunately, Joe knows the reality of his situation. Betty is engaged to a good guy, and friend, Artie Green, (Jack Webb). He calls Betty and says to meet him at Norma’s home. He explains about Norma, and that he loves her. Betty leaves bitter and broken-hearted. Joe Gillis realizes he doesn’t love Norma Desmond, and packs up to leave. Norma, unhinged by the truth of the studio’s true reason for calling, confronts Joe. It is too much for her, and she fatally shoots him. It leads to Norma being arrested, and led downstairs. She makes a grand descent down the staircase, and says, “Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup.”
Sunset Blvd. is considered film noir. It has the classic narration of the lead character. It is told in flashback, because of Joe Gillis’ untimely and tragic death. It is a stark image, showing Gillis body being fished out of the pool: then put into a body bag. The final shot of Norma Desmond, in closeup and then fading out, makes a statement about her life. That is from shining star to nothing. She has in her insanity, gotten her moment in front of the cameras. Billy Wilder not only directed this film, but was one of the writers. He has given quotes like, “I was always big. It was the pictures that got small.” It is a hard thing to make a film. Billy Wilder, has given movie fans, a film that has haunted viewers since it’s release.
The thing that does brighten Norman Desmond’s life are her bridge games. They were with old movie stars. Billy Wilder managed to get Buster Keaton, in the bridge game. He was very good at the card game, almost as good as he was at comedy. He was self taught, and worked on his skills. Another bridge player was H. B. Warner, who was happy to appear. Cecile B. Demille appears as himself, on his film set. It is a good dialogue that he has about Norma Desmond. It is a brief summary of the film’s message, about fleeting fame.
The real story of Sunset Blvd., is it’s stars. William Holden delivers as Joe Gillis. His character is all about Hollywood failure. The most important thing about Holden, is that he revived his sagging career with this movie. He was relegated to parts in melodramas, that limited his career. It was Billy Wilder’s decision to cast him, that made William Holden a major star for several years. Gloria Swanson, was like her character, a star in silent films. Swanson, wasn’t Wilder’s first choice. He chose her because many stars were retired, and some wanted more money. Gloria Swanson hadn’t acted in a movie in nearly twenty years. Her performance in Sunset Blvd, looked like she never stopped acting.
Sunset Blvd. shows an unforgiving Hollywood. It shows has been stars like Norma Desmond. There is Joe Gillis. He is a man so desperate, that he will do anything to make it. The upside is Betty Schaefer, a genuinely nice but naive woman. She is saved from Joe Gillis, by Joe Gillis. The portrait in Sunset Blvd. of Hollywood is mainly negative. It does make for good film noir, and something for filmgoers to talk about.