What is your favorite movie?

I’m an Italian film critic and films like this made me fall in love with movies at a very young age. For me SB has it all: a great story, wonderful characters, black humour, drama, social and cultural satire, and in spite of all his despicable characters an enormous Love for the Movies. Who can’t love a film with Gloria Swanson, wonderful as just a slightly more extreme version of herself, the handsome gigolo William Holden, the myth himself Erich Von Stroheim, Buster Keaton, Cecile B. DeMille, all the wax figures, etc. etc. etc.? It’s almost too much to list. This is Billy Wilder and Charlie Brackett at their very best. I know by heart their lines, and I think the film also contains the shortest and greatest love declaration of them all; when Betty says to Joe Gillis “I don’t love him anymore” and he answers “What Happened?” “You”. Every time I see this marvelous, magic film I have goosebumps from the incredible beginning right to the thrilling ending. I’m ready for my close up, mr. De Mille… that’s Art for me! If just 1 film could exist I would pick up this one. Sorry for the others, but this is definitely my choice for the desert island.
Daniela Catelli

First of all, I am a huge Billy Wilder fan in general. His movies are always just so entertaining. Of all his movies Sunset Blvd is his masterpiece. Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond is perfect, and creates one of the most memorable characters to ever appear on the big screen. Although the audience is aware from the beginning what is going to happen in the end of the movie, this does not matter because what is interesting to watch is Swanson’s descent into complete madness. The dialog is great, the direction is perfect, and the story is both tragic and humorous. In other words, it is the greatest American movie ever produced!
Also, just for fun, my movies that receive “honorable mentions” (the next best American movies): The Godfather Part II, Singin’ In The Rain, and Taxi Driver.

This film is obviously the greatest film on the topic of Hollywood. Gloria Swanson’s performance as the faded silent star Norma Desmond is timeless, and one of the the most pathetic yet fasinating characters I have ever seen on screen. Billy Wilder’s direction is appropriately dark and flawless. It’s pure brilliance.

This movie is absolutely haunting.

This movie is absolutely haunting. The dialogue is magnificent. It works as both a moving drama and a semi-black comedy look at the fragility of fame and the lure of the movie industry. Billy Wilder’s direction and screenplay are brilliant. I could watch it over and over again. And I have.
By: Barry Monush

I don’t think there’s been a better movie made about faded Hollywood glory. I’ve always admired performers who have the ability to come back (or as Norma Desmond would say, “Return”).

The fact that “Sunset” mirrored Gloria Swanson’s career in so many ways made it all the more interesting to watch.

I don’t think I’m going out on a limb to say “Sunset Boulevard” is probably one of the greatest films of the 20th century. What a fantastic piece of work. Even my 9 and 6 year olds were pulled into it — and wanted to see it again! How’s that for a 57 year old movie’s staying power!

It’s as relevant today as it was then…probably moreso.

I love movies.

It a movie about the movie business, and I love movies.
By: Josh Raines

Its a great movie about Hollywood.

Its a great movie about Hollywood.
By: Brad Little

A brilliant look at one woman’s luminous journey through the limelight and the disastrous results that can occur when one drifts into the shadows.

This movie is meaningful to me because it essentially captures my idea of a perfect film. The acting is top-notch. The cinematography is subtle and very original. The script has some of the finest lines ever captured on film. For some inexplicable reason I connect on every level with the film, and I feel it is one of the best films ever made.
By: Niall Johnson-Byrne

Best Movie Ever Made.

BRILLIANT MOVIE WITH SUPERB PERFORMANCES BY GLORIA SWANSON AND WILLIAM HOLDEN. THE SCRIPT IS GREAT, CLEVER, FUNNY AND THE DIRECTION BY BILLY WILDER AND MUSIC BY FRANZ WAXMAN ARE FLAWLESS. AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT HOLLYWOOD THAT IS SO PERFECT MOST VIEWERS CAN’T TELL WHERE GLORIA SWANSON LEAVES OFF AND NORMA DESMOND BEGINS. THE FILM ALSO CONTAINS MORE QUOTABLE LINES THAN ANY OTHER FILM I CAN THINK OF. IN A FILM THAT BUILDS IRONY UPON IRONY, THE FINAL IRONY WAS THAT SWANSON WAS SO PERFECT NO ONE COULD BELIEVE SHE WASN’T REALLY NORMA…. SHE HARDLY EVER WORKED AGAIN IN FILMS.
By: Edward Lorusso

Failing screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden) tries to help a forgotten film star (Gloria Swanson) rekindle her love for filmmaking while falling in love with a typist.

Storytelling and ensemble acting at its finest. This is one of Billy Wilder’s signature films (see: Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, The Apartment) and was nominated for a then-record breaking 11 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. The black and white cinematography is hardly noticable in a film that we can easily find ourselves entralled with. Great musical score by Franz Waxman and great pacing (editing).

All in all, this is definitely, without question, a 10/10 movie. Look for cameos by the legendary: Buster Keaton, Cecil B. DeMille, Hedda Hopper, and a few other talents of note.
By: Kelly Doucette