Sunset Boulevard Film Analysis
Today, the noir film Sunset Boulevard (1950) is regarded as a landmark of American cinema due to its critique of Hollywood’s star system. It expresses a cynical attitude through the themes of illusions and the superficial star image. Gloria Swanson’s performance for the character Norma Desmond exposes the dark side of Hollywood’s star system, exploiting an artist’s skill until seen fit, cutting them loose, and leaving them astray in the end. The film’s representation of Desmond’s character has a powerful impact on viewers unfamiliar with Swanson as it highlights the generational differences in the Hollywood entertainment cycle. In the writings of Richard Dyer, Anne Peterson, and James Naremore, scholars learn the importance of cinematic rhetoric in contributing to character development while understanding the star’s image and selective use of the film’s character. I will focus on the scene when Norma travels to Paramount and is belittled by her old director and the younger actors.
Sunset Boulevard is characterized by its atmospheric visuals, employing chiaroscuro lighting and deep shadows to enhance the film’s noir aesthetic. The use of…
