Sunset Blvd.
Special Collector's EditionTrailer A little back story here about why I've never seen this movie before till now. For years I have heard all the stories about the plot, the actors and the legacy that is
Sunset Blvd. I've seen so many soundbites from the film over the years, especially the scenes with
Gloria Swanson and her world famous catch-phrases like "I'm ready for my close up now". I think it's because no matter where I turned, someone was always talking about the movie that I figured that I had already seen it in my mind. Well, I'm kinda on a Classic Hollywood film kick. I own movies like
Citizen Kane and
Casablanca, but wanted to hit some other masterpiece films off my "1,001 films you must see" List. First up on the block is
Sunset Blvd.I finally get what all the fuss is about and why it really is a classic film, more so now than maybe it was back then. Yes, the film was considered a shoo-in to win
Best Picture back in the day (it loss to
All About Eve), but I think you can see how infiuential Sunset is when you start playing other movies in your head that came after that uses the same plot and characters as this biting commentary on Hollywood has been recycled over and over. I think this movie is very relavant in today's climate with regards to one selling their own soul to make it in the business, one way or another.
Now, having just watched this for the first time, I get why it's a masterpiece. But I've only watched it the one time, so I can't give it 10 Stars. For now it gets a perfect 5 Star rating and a big recommendation to Rent, if not Buy the DVD. Personally, I'd have no problem adding this to my personal DVD library. Great cast from
Gloria Swanson to
William Holden to
Erich von Stroheim and
Nancy Olson. And yes, let's not forget about
Cecil B. DeMille. But I really got a kick out of seeing
Buster Keaton and
Jack Webb, neither of which I knew were in the film to begin with.
Whether you
Buy or
Rent this movie, be sure to get the
Collector's Edition and check out the 'Making Of' which serves up a lot of information about the movie and it's stars and how life imitates art imitates life imitates art...
Having said all that, I'm actually embarassed at myself for having waited this long to finally watch Sunset Blvd. Shame on me!