Live Life Team
Genre: Drama
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring Cast: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Nancy Olson
For many, “Sunset Boulevard” is still seen as the best film ever made on the subject of Hollywood and its seedy underbelly. “Sunset Boulevard” is rife with standout performances by William Holden, Gloria Swanson and Nancy Olson. This classic movie depicts the ill-fated meeting of fallen star Norma Desmond and screenwriter on the rise, Joe Gillis.
Living in seclusion, Norma spends her days dreaming of how she might become a star once again. Joe comes across the dilapidated mansion and the lonely fallen star by chance. Gillis is struggling to make it big, and the contrast between a woman who has tasted fame at the top and the man whose career is on the slide gives a fascinating view into the strange world of stardom and the Hollywood bubble.
Norman not only hires Gillis to work on her return, but she falls in love with him in the course of this, spoiling him with luxurious gifts. Unknown to her, Gillis is also working elsewhere with a young studio writer named Betty. However, rather than reciprocating Norma’s feelings for him, Gillis falls for Betty and relationships start to get complex.
In a business where youth and good looks are almost a condition to getting work, Norma toils with her fall from fame and Gillis’s betrayal is a huge blow. Norma’s illusion of control of the situation crumbles, and this loss of control highlights the materialistic and selfish ideals that exist in Norma’s Hollywood. This distorted outlook leads to murder and tragic ends for all involved.
