Sunset Boulevard

Main Plot

Sunset Boulevard is a classic film noir that delves into the dark side of Hollywood. The story follows Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter who finds himself entangled with Norma Desmond, a reclusive and delusional former silent film star. After a chance encounter, Joe becomes ensnared in Norma's world, where she dreams of making a grand return to the silver screen. Norma hires Joe to help her with a script she believes will be her comeback vehicle. As Joe becomes more involved in Norma's life, he is drawn into her web of manipulation and obsession. The film explores themes of ambition, fame, and the harsh realities of the film industry, painting a haunting picture of the cost of celebrity and the passage of time. The narrative unfolds with a sense of impending doom, leading to a dramatic and unforgettable conclusion.

Characters

• William Holden plays Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter who becomes entangled with a faded silent film star, driving the story's exploration of ambition and desperation.
• Gloria Swanson plays Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star whose obsession with fame and Joe Gillis drives the story's tragic descent.
• Erich von Stroheim plays Max von Mayerling, Norma Desmond's devoted butler and former husband, who supports her delusions and maintains her illusion of stardom.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Sunset Boulevard, the main conflict reaches its tragic resolution. The film concludes with the character Joe Gillis attempting to leave the mansion of Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star who has become delusional about her return to fame. Joe decides to break free from Norma's manipulative hold and plans to return to his previous life. However, Norma, unable to accept his departure and the reality of her declining career, shoots Joe as he tries to leave. Joe's body falls into the swimming pool, a scene that was foreshadowed at the beginning of the film. The police and media arrive at the mansion, and Norma descends further into madness, believing she is on a film set. In her delusion, she descends the grand staircase, imagining she is performing for the cameras, while the authorities and onlookers watch in silence. The film ends with Norma delivering her famous line, 'All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up,' as she approaches the camera, fully consumed by her fantasy. This ending underscores the film's themes of obsession, the destructive nature of fame, and the harsh realities of Hollywood, bringing the narrative full circle with Joe's death and Norma's complete detachment from reality.