Sunset Boulevard

Perhaps the greatest and most influential cynical masterpiece exposing the corrupt, transactional underbelly of show-biz and the media along with Sweet Smell of Success. An immaculate thematic comparison with 47’s Out of the Past. Both films voicing that final self-sacrificial lie to liberate the woman they love from a toxic situation. The striking parallels between Holden as Joe Gillis and Mitchum as Jeff Bailey as ‘doomed’ anti-heroes, seduced into a deadly spiral of control and loss of freedom by relentless femme fatales. The extreme state of moral ambiguity underscored through the ingenues of Betty Schaefer and Ann Miller, representing a chance at a normal life. It all makes Joe’s attempted redemption and that of the deaf kid’s so much more powerful. This is seen in Joe’s attempt to save Betty by pushing her away, masking his contempt for the gigolo he has become and forcing her back to her honest, humble life with Artie. Similarly, the deaf kid pushes Ann away by making her believe Jeff was unfaithful, allowing her to marry an honest man in Jim without grieving for Jeff. I felt like I had to get this all out. Made a comparison to Mulholland Drive on my first watch but had to dig a bit deeper on the rewatch for this. So glad I did.