Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Sloman regards the film as a deeply satisfying work of cinematic genius. He praises Wilder’s witty construction and the superb casting.

The critic calls it the greatest and smartest Hollywood satire ever made, praising Wilder's passion and anger as well as the performances of Swanson and Holden.

It's one of Wilder's finest and the blackest of Hollywood's self-accounts, narrated by a corpse in a swimming pool; the direction, performances (especially von Stroheim), and script are praised, though the film is noted for its cynicism toward humanity.

The critic hails the film as a subtle, savage and insightful satire on Hollywood that remains moving and relevant. They single out the contrasting performances of Gloria Swanson and William Holden, along with the mordant wit and formal beauty of the production, for particular praise.

The critic praises the film's blend of Hollywood satire and gothic horror elements, highlighting its portrayal of Norma Desmond as a haunting figure trapped between past and present, and the meta-casting of silent era stars.

The review calls the film a masterpiece and a tour of Hollywood’s village of the damned. It singles out the self-reflexive performances, especially Erich von Stroheim as Max, and Wilder’s biting exploration of fame, vanity, and the corrupting power of the industry.

The critic celebrates the film's enduring prescience and haunting quality as a searing critique of Hollywood's ruthless treatment of its own. They highlight its timeless portrayal of discarded stars and writers clashing with an unforgiving industry machine.

The critic describes the film as a self-referential masterpiece and ghost story about Hollywood delusions. Swanson's performance as Norma Desmond is singled out as extraordinary, hilarious, crazed and intense.

The review hails the film as a triumph of motion picture craftsmanship and one of the all-time greats. It singles out the Brackett-Wilder script for its dramatic compulsion and emotional subtlety, along with Gloria Swanson's brilliant performance as the faded star.

The critic notes the film's surprising popular appeal despite its morbid story of corrupted lives and praises its brilliant, sharp, and corrosive quality as a study of greed, frustration, and Hollywood decay. It highlights the strong performances, especially William Holden's, and calls it tops in its genre.

The critic calls it a vicious classic and exhilarating critique of the soul-corroding film industry. They single out Gloria Swanson's towering performance as Norma Desmond and the script's withering wit for praise.

The piece presents the film as one of the most savage and hypnotically entertaining depictions of Hollywood hypocrisy and egomania ever made, highlighting its lasting influence and behind-the-scenes revelations.

The critic calls the film a standout filmmaking job with a daring, iconoclastic approach that shatters illusions while perpetuating Hollywood myths. Strong praise goes to the topnotch technical skills and especially the performances by William Holden and Gloria Swanson.

The page text is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint is accessible.

The review finds the film pretentious and ultimately hollow, faulting the script for substituting flashy photography and dialogue for a genuine tragedy and showing unhealthy contempt for aging stars. It acknowledges engrossing scenes and strong acting from Swanson, von Stroheim, and Holden but deems the enterprise a failure overall.

The review positions Sunset Boulevard as the apex of movies-about-movies, blending film noir with a sharp critique of Hollywood's transience and fakery through its tale of a screenwriter and faded star. They praise the endlessly quotable script, meta casting, and relentless entertainment value as making it one of the director's finest.

The review hails the film as one of the greatest ever made and essential for collectors. It praises Gloria Swanson's portrayal of the delusional Norma Desmond for evoking pity and fear, along with Erich von Stroheim's supporting turn and the array of legendary cameos.

The 1950 Billy Wilder classic remains one of Hollywood’s greatest and most enduring films, a scathing black comedy about the industry that still feels relevant today. It singles out the film’s honest depiction of how the business discards its stars and the power of its restored 4K presentation for modern audiences.

The critic hails Billy Wilder's meta noir as a cynical critique of showbiz and postwar alienation, wickedly funny with a dead narrator and Gloria Swanson's magnificent, sad performance as Norma Desmond.

The piece celebrates Sunset Boulevard as a landmark film noir that demystifies old Hollywood myths and exposes industry cynicism. It singles out the strong performances, particularly Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond and Erich von Stroheim as Max, along with the film's sharp behind-the-scenes insights.

The critic calls Sunset Boulevard a darkly comic film noir and the most scathing indictment of Hollywood's cynical machine, with its story of a struggling writer entangled with a faded silent star. They single out the film's narration and portrayal of desperate, deluded characters like Norma Desmond as particularly haunting and effective.