excited to finish this one lol but a journalist’s long-form account of the making of a John Huston movie. Interesting to see the technical side of film making (as someone who studied it but never knew the process) and also …..kinda classic silly goofy 1950s Hollywood antics, in an industry that takes itself very seriously but is entirely make believe
Related Recs
😃
It’s really a movie about getting stupid ridiculous plastic surgery and falling in love with Lauren Bacall which honestly may be the move. it’s also fun to get really into film noir to the extent you can’t speak to people anymore because you cant stop saying shit like “look it, see”
Sep 19, 2024
📽
A very meta film by Billy Wilder. Gloria Swanson plays Norma Desmond, a silent film star of a bygone era who has been pushed out of stardom with the rise of movies with sound.
William Holden plays Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter/playboy who finds himself in peculiar circumstances after his car blows a tire in the midst of being chased by some intimidating repo men and rolls right into Norma Desmond’s driveway.
Gloria Swanson is serving the kentiest of kent in her iconic role as Norma Desmond and it leaves ”not a crumb” to be swept up or whatever the kids are saying nowadays.
Gloria was a silent film actress for real reals, starring in the films of Cecil B. Demille (he is also in the movie). Like the movie, her real life silent film career was also put on pause when sound came to major motion pictures. Sunset Boulevard was considered her comeback, post silent-film era.
The film seamlessly blurred the lines between reality and fiction, and audiences perceived the film to be an actual representation of Gloria Swanson’s life. Though, in real life, Gloria Swanson was an inventress and fashion designer (article with more about this linked above) and had a thriving life post-silent film era.
The film is shot gorgeously in crisp black and white, keeps you hooked with strange and unexpected moments, sublime acting, directing, and dialogue. The film consistently wows me in every aspect, and is truly a must-see sight to behold.
Apr 28, 2024
🎥
At the risk of sounding trite, Sunset Boulevard is a really good movie. I watched it for the first time yesterday and fell in love with everything about it. Old school Hollywood mansion ✔️. Murder ✔️. Love ✔️. Aging movie star ✔️. A butler ✔️.
@will
STAFF
Top Recs from @evie
Convinced that this is the holy grail of friendship at any age. cooking, making art, cleaning, anything side-by-side: it’s the best way!
Aug 23, 2024
Jan 14, 2025