Billy Wilder, 1950The Hollywood classic is a fantastic physiological film noir that explores the twisted ego filled and delusional lives of movie stars. Joe Gillis (William Holden) the films protagonist is an unsuccessful screenwriter on the run from debt collectors. Looking for a place to hide his car, he comes across a seemingly abandoned old mansion. It turns out that the house belongs to Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a once famous silent movie star from a bygone era in Hollywood. Hearing of Joe’s money problems, Norma offers him a job editing her script, which he grudgingly accepts to help pay off his debts. It is not long until Norma takes a romantic liking to Joe, and immerses him in the weird and sad world of Hollywood’s elite. A world of excessive ego worship, complete with an endless supply of champagne and bizarre rituals such as extravagant funerals for deceased pet chimpanzees. Unfortunately for Norma, the attraction is one sided and becomes evident that Joe is only in the relationship for the materialistic gains. While Norma prepares for her comeback to the Hollywood stage, the situation increasingly becomes suffocating for Joe. As he begins to drift away, Norma becomes more desperate and delusional to point of madness.
The story is typical of celebrities. Who on the surface, seem to have everything anyone could ever want. However, in reality many of them lead tortured lives, suffering from a gambit of mental health and addiction issues. Often causing them to lash out or act peculiarly, get involved with strange cults, steal things simply for the sake of stealing, or overdose with drugs. Often the larger the celebrity the more tragic the consequences are, look at Michael Jackson for example. This makes sense, because from a young age these people are completely detached from reality, sheltered behind mountains of money, and worshiped by legions of fans. When their time in the spotlight is up, it can be difficult for their ego to cope and subsequently causes great anguish. Wilder captures this pain, and in doing so makes Norma human again, into someone that we cannot only relate to, but can pity. It is timeless story, applicable to anyone famous, in any culture, anywhere in the world. However, what really makes the film truly interesting to watch is the weird and wonderful world Wilder creates on screen. It gives the viewer a glimpse into the super decadent and sordid reality of the super rich, which while fictional is remarkably believable. It is a world that is ‘fellini-esque’, and is every bit as depraved and extravagant as ‘La Dolce Vita’, only a decade earlier.
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