Sunset Boulevard (DVD, 2002, Collector's Edition)

Classic over the top performance by Gloria Swanson as a faded silent movie icon, Norma Desmond, who lives in the past with her understanding yet creepy butler, Max, played by Erich von Stroheim.
William Holden is a down and out screenwriter who agrees to rewrite a movie for Norma, only to fall into her mad grasp.
Very well supported by Nancy Olson as an up and coming writer. Also appearances by a young Jack Webb and cameo by Cecil B. DeMille.
A novel beginning of the movie, in fact the end, add to its greatness.
And of course the final scene, "I'm ready for my closeup Mr.DeMille!"

Billy Wilder directed this movie, which stars William Holden and Gloria Swanson. I had really mixed feelings about this movie. I think I really could have liked it, I really could have.

The opening of the movie has a very gothic feel to it, with Holden narrating and later when we come to first see the huge house. And I really liked the movie right up to the end.

The plot and story had me constantly guessing. Wilder really played up the contrast, especially during the New Year’s Eve party. The dialogue is great.

The acting, too, is really great. Gloria Swanson, interestingly, at a point in her career much like her characters, deserved an Oscar for her performance. Holden, too, was great. Erich von whatever was good too (he directed Swanson in the silent movie they show at her house). The girl, Nancy Olson, I liked as well.

The cinematography—especially the shots they open and close with and some of the fades—was well-done.

Essentially, the movie is a tragedy. I can take tragedy. Heck, one of my favorite movies is The Birds. But the ending—in fact, the whole movie—is so incredibly bitter. When it was over it left a horrible feeling in my stomach.

The movie is a lot like Hitch’s stuff, just with this bitterness. It’s almost like an earlier version of Psycho. But the difference is that Psycho leaves me inwardly laughing while this movie leaves me inwardly throwing up.

Gloria Swanson is a Familiar face, as her father taught my father at the College of Engineering of the University of Puerto Rico. Gloria grew up in Mayaguez, P. R. and her career as an actress was well received.
The depiction of Norma Desmond is an outstanding performance, the exagerated manerisms were in tune with the Silent Movie style and the provocative and exagerated demeanor of a classical schizoid actress was performed with excellence.

The narrative by William Holden is very intriguing and well executed. I saw the movie in 1951, and loved it. I bought the DVD through Ebay and liked it more now. Classical style of acting without trashy language is what Hollywood is in needs, and our decadent society need more movies of such refine productions.

But I am an old fashion seventy years old man and that is another story

This movie is amazing, from storyline ( narrated by one of the main characters after his death ), to the awesome performance of Gloria Swanson. Miss Swanson, being a silent film star to begin with, conveys so much meaning and emotion with her eyes and hand movements. EVERYTHING she does is a production, and it's wonderful! EVERYONE should see this movie, if only to see Gloria Swanson say "I AM big. It was the PICTURES that got small". I read somewhere, that after the premier of Sunset Boulevard, Barbara Stanwyck got on her knees and bowed to Miss Swanson...I couldn't put it any better myself.

This is a must see classic, period, written and directed by the legendary Billy Wilder and starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson. I love the lines in this movie. They just don't make them like this anymore.