“Dark Film” and Sunset Blvd.
analytical Essay
1076 words
Film noir, by translation alone, means dark film, and by that measurement Sunset Boulevard certainly fits the genre. A gloomy story that follows a jaded and sarcastic protagonist, Joe Gillis from his initial dire circumstances to his untimely death, Sunset Blvd. earns the description “dark” several times over. But there is more to film noir than crushingly depressing plotlines. There are common motifs and icons that are found in most film noirs, such as crime, dark alleys, guns and alcohol. Deeper than this, film noir features certain visual elements, character archetypes, and themes that create a unique style of film. Although some have argued that Sunset Blvd. fails to represent some of these elements, it has become known as one of the most iconic film noirs ever made. Sunset Boulevard (1950), written and directed by Billy Wilder exemplifies the film noir style through its use of visual elements (lighting, shots and angles), memorable characters, themes and overall structure of the film.
First and foremost, film noir refers to the visual style of a picture. The imagery of film noir was influenced by early 20th century German expressionism, featuring distorted, sinister shapes and shadows. These precursors to film noir used abstract figures and looming shadows for bizarre, emotionally stirring results. Techniques such as chiaroscuro were used to give a dark and minimalistic feeling. In many cases lighting is limited to a single harsh light source, which obscures the image, and even throws shadows across actors’ faces. These elements ensure that an audience regards the actors and the setting with equal importance. Oblique angled shots permeate many film noirs, naturally provoking anxiousness and apprehension in the viewer. In Sun...
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...ol, and he ended up floating face down in one. Norma’s fame ultimately proved to be the cause of her insanity.
The noir style is showcased in Sunset Boulevard with its use of visually dark and uncomfortable settings and camera work, as well as its use of the traditional film noir characters. In addition, the overall tone and themes expressed in it tightly correspond to what many film noirs addressed. What made this film unique was its harsh criticism of the film industry itself, which some of Wilder’s peers saw as biting the hand that fed him. There is frequent commentary on the superficial state of Hollywood and its indifference to suffering, which is still a topic avoided by many in the film business today. However, Sunset Blvd. set a precedent for future film noirs, and is an inspiration for those who do not quite believe what they are being shown by Hollywood.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that film noir is more than crushingly depressing plotlines. it features visual elements, character archetypes, and themes that create a unique style of film.
- Explains that the imagery of film noir was influenced by early 20th century german expressionism, featuring distorted, sinister shapes and shadows for bizarre, emotionally stirring results.
- Analyzes how film noir employs several character archetypes to tell a story. cultural shifts in gender roles of post wwii america unsettled men when many women refused to regress back into traditional housewife tasks.
- Analyzes how post-war depression and nihilism fascinated many film directors. hopelessness, paranoia, and violence pervade sunset blvd. and many noir films.
- Analyzes how sunset boulevard sets a precedent for future film noirs and inspires those who don't believe what they are being shown by hollywood.
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- Sunset Boulevard, directed by Billy Wilderanalytical essay...e visual examples, plus the situation and Norma’s now completely insane attitude, show very well that Sunset Boulevard is, in fact, a Film Noir.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that film noir is a fairly self-explanatory name, based on the 1940's, post-war paranoia, with the threat of nuclear missiles looming over the heads of all americans.
- Analyzes how joe gillis, the main character in sunset boulevard, fits the film noir protagonist mold. he meets delusional silent film star norma desmond, who shoots him dead.
- Analyzes how norma desmond, a faded silent film star, is an unconventional femme fatale in film noir. she is seductive, deceptive, and without morals.
- Analyzes how film noirs are shot in a very distinct manner. the lighting is single-source, making heavy use of chiaroscuro, using things such as streetlights or venetian blinds.
- Explains that sunset boulevard is an amazing film noir. it uses character types such as a hardened male protagonist and femme fatale, along with the classic film noir visual style.
1034 wordsRead More - How does Sunset Boulevard represent the Hollywood Studio System?analytical essaySunset Boulevard directed by Billy Wilder in 1950 is based on how Norma Desmond, a huge Hollywood star, deals with her fall from fame. The film explores the fantasy world in which Norma is living in and the complex relationship between her and small time writer Joe Gillis, which leads to his death. Sunset Boulevard is seen as lifting the ‘face’ of the Hollywood Studio System to reveal the truth behind the organisation. During the time the film was released in the 1950s and 60s, audiences started to see the demise of Hollywood as cinema going began to decline and the fierce competition of television almost proved too much for the well established system. Throughout this essay I will discuss how Sunset Boulevard represents the Hollywood Studio System, as well as exploring post war literature giving reasons as to why the system began to crumble.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how sunset boulevard is based on how norma desmond, a huge hollywood star, deals with her fall from fame and the complex relationship between her and small time writer joe gillis, which leads to his death.
- Analyzes how the narrative of sunset boulevard represents the hollywood studio system. the audience is introduced to joe gillis, a script writer struggling to pay his rent.
- Analyzes how joe pitches a script idea to paramount's producer, emphasising the demise of the studio system and its funds.
- Analyzes how the film's main focus represents the hollywood star system to which norma desmond is a victim of.
- Analyzes how the focus of norma's fame is a recurring theme throughout the film to emphasise the extent to which fame has affected her and her life.
- Analyzes how joe gillis' quote highlights the ‘real’ hollywood in sunset boulevard. the film pays reference to writers and producers of the system to show the audience what goes on behind the scenes and the extent of people involved in major film productions.
- Analyzes how the audience sees a studio set, plenty of lighting, cameras, actors, and the famous director played by demille. betty and joe walk around paramount pictures whereby set's are being created.
- Analyzes how the film refers to the star system when norma goes through an extensive beauty regime including skin peels, laser treatment and waxing to appear younger and healthier.
- Analyzes how norma's insanity and fantasy world is pushed to the test when she eventually kills joe. representations of the hollywood studio system are evident in the scenes to follow.
- Analyzes how the film represents hollywood, now they will focus on post-war literature to highlight the demise of the system during the release of sunset boulevard.
- Analyzes how lifestyle changes amongst society also took its toll on hollywood, as cinema going started to decline. after the war people had more spare time and leisure activities to participate in.
- Argues that the introduction of television was a major feature in the demise of the system, as television sets allowed families to enjoy entertainment from the comfort of their own homes.
- Explains how hollywood kept fighting to save the well established system by participating in innovative and creative ideas to win their audiences back to the theatres.
- Explains that hollywood began to produce 'runaway' films, which meant that american films were shot on location in foreign countries to reduce costs on sets and labour. the studio system collapsed under threats of political power, television, rising independent production, and, perhaps most serious, loss of the exhibition chains.
- Concludes that sunset boulevard represents a great example of the hollywood studio system as it focuses on the star system within hollywood and how fame can be damaging to individuals.
- Describes the works of richard maltby, david a. cook, daniel bordwell, and kristin thompson.
1891 wordsRead More - Film Noiranalytical essayOut of the Past, directed by Jacques Tourneur, featuring Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer, presents a quintessential example of the femme fatale character in film noir, one who challenges the idealistic portrayal of the traditional woman; “Noir films create this image of the strong, unrepressed woman, then attempt[s] to contain it by destroying the femme fatale…” Kathie Moffett the femme fatale, is thereby the archetypal image of this sexually driven and independent woman. Underscoring this assertion is the essay Femme Fatale written by John Blaser, featured in the essay collection No Place for a Woman: The Family in Film Noir.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how out of the past, directed by jacques tourneur, featuring robert mitchum and jane greer, presents a quintessential example of kathie moffett the femme fatale character in film noir.
- Analyzes how the femme fatale, kathie moffett, lures jeff markham in as an accomplice to her mischievous plans by asserting her sexuality.
- Analyzes how kathie's inevitable fatality results from manipulating both whit, and jeff.
- Analyzes how the style of these films overwhelms their conventional narrative content, or interacts with it to produce a remarkably potent image of woman.
- Analyzes how the audience remembers the nontraditional female rather than the stereotypical woman. kathie is killed at the end of the film, but her death is still in her control.
- Analyzes how ann represents the idealistic woman, who supports jeff, even after she is told of the murders he allegedly committed. the stark contrast between kathie and ann shows the definite differences between the roles both the traditional woman and the femme fatale play in the patriarchal society.
520 wordsRead More - Sunset Boulevard Film Analysisanalytical essay“There once was a time in this business when I had the eyes of the whole world! But that wasn't good enough for them, oh no! They had to have the ears of the whole world too. So they opened their big mouths and out came talk. Talk! TALK!” (Sunset Boulevard). The film Sunset Boulevard directed by Billy Wilder focuses on a struggling screen writer who is hired to rewrite a silent film star’s script leading to a dysfunctional and fatal relationship. Sunset Boulevard is heavily influenced by the history of cinema starting from the 1930s to 1950 when the film was released.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the film sunset boulevard, directed by billy wilder, focuses on a struggling screen writer who is hired to rewrite an silent film star’s script.
- Explains how mccarthy's accusations caused the "red scare," a fear of the rise of communism. the hollywood blacklist began in 1947, when 10 hollywood film industry members publicly denounced the tactics employed by the huac.
- Explains that sunset boulevard is a film noir style film. the anti-hero is joe gillis and the femme fatale, norma desmond.
- Explains that the movie sunset boulevard was inspired by the beginning and success of talking films.
- Opines that sunset boulevard has had a huge impact on other filmmakers.
- Narrates the history of film in the 1930s.
966 wordsRead More - Chinatown as Film Noiranalytical essay'Chinatown' as Film Noir Films that are classified as being in the film noir genre all share some basic characteristics. There is generally a voice-over throughout the film in order to guide the audience's perceptions. These movies also involve a crime and a detective who is trying to figure out the truth in the situation. This detective usually encounters a femme fatale who seduces him. However, the most distinctive feature of the film noir genre is the abundance of darkness.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that 'chinatown' is a film noir genre with voice-overs, detectives and femme fatales. the most distinctive feature is the abundance of darkness.
- Analyzes how roman polanski's 1974 film, 'chinatown', revolutionized the film noir genre.
- Explains that while the film is in color, sometimes it appears to be in black and white.
- Analyzes how the makeup used on the women in the film isn't bright or colorful. mrs. mulwray's lips, eyes, and hair are brown, making it difficult to realize that she is the femme fatale.
- Analyzes how polanski still manages to create shadows even in bright scenes, such as when mr. geddes and other men are outside examining the dried up river bed.
- Analyzes how polanski modernized the genre by producing a film that can be dark, yet still in color.
853 wordsRead More - Shadow Of A Doubtanalytical essayThis paper has attempted to investigate the ways in which Alfred Hitchcock blended conventions of film noir with those of a small town domestic comedy. It first looked at the opening scenes of the film in which the two conventions were introdruced. It then went on to analyse the film with the aid of Robin Wood's article Ideology, Genre, Auteur. From these two forms we can see that film noir and small town comedy were used as a means of commenting on the contradictions in American values.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hitchcock's "shadow of a doubt" blends film noir and domestic comedy to comment on the contradictions in american values.
- Narrates how the film is set up in a film noir style. under the opening credits, the shadowy backround image is shown kaleidoscopically.
- Opines that joe doesn't want any clues. he wants to murder joe.
- Analyzes how hitchcock must protect the american ideal from the seedy undertones of his invention. while young charlie loses her innocence, we see in her the rebirth of'small-town' values.
- Analyzes how alfred hitchcock blended conventions of film noir with those of a small town domestic comedy.
- Analyzes how the film introduces us to the good guys and the bad guy, culminating in a chase scene.
- Analyzes how the film sets up a family that could have been picked right off the set of early situational comedy like leave it to beaver or the donna reed show.
- Analyzes how the movie bounces back and forth between scenes that resemble a comedy and build our suspense.
- Analyzes how hitchcock has introduced many sets of doubles into the film.
3268 wordsRead More - Film Noir: The Big Sleepanalytical essayFilm Noir is a genre of distinct and unique characteristics. Mostly prominent in the 40s and 50s, the genre rarely skewed from the skeletal plot to which all Film Noir pictures follow. The most famous of these films is The Big Sleep (1946) directed by Howard Hawks. This film is the go to when it comes to all the genre’s clichés. This formula for film is so well known and deeply understood that it is often a target for satire. This is what the Coen brothers did with 1998’s The Big Lebowski. This film follows to the T what Film Noir stands for.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that film noir is a genre of distinct and unique characteristics. the big sleep (1946) is the go-to when it comes to all the genre’s clichés.
- Analyzes the plot of the big lebowski, about a middle-aged hippie who likes to go bowling.
- Analyzes how the protagonist, a heavy drinker, finds himself immersed in an intricate plot, being manipulated by friends, enemies, and women alike. the dude, in reality, is an aging hippie, laid back and prone to saying "take ‘er easy man."
- Analyzes how bunny and maude are reminiscent of the two sternwood daughters, vivian and carmen. they provide the all-important aspect of femme fatale.
- Analyzes how the big lebowski represents a direct repurposing of the elements of noir, starting with the city setting.
858 wordsRead More - The Use of Classical Hollywood Theory in Die Hardanalytical essayBeginning the mid 1920s, Hollywood’s ostensibly all-powerful film studios controlled the American film industry, creating a period of film history now recognized as “Classical Hollywood”. Distinguished by a practical, workmanlike, “invisible” method of filmmaking- whose purpose was to demand as little attention to the camera as possible, Classical Hollywood cinema supported undeviating storylines (with the occasional flashback being an exception), an observance of a the three act structure, frontality, and visibly identified goals for the “hero” to work toward and well-defined conflict/story resolution, most commonly illustrated with the employment of the “happy ending”. Studios understood precisely what an audience desired, and accommodated their wants and needs, resulting in films that were generally all the same, starring similar (sometimes the same) actors, crafted in a similar manner. It became the principal style throughout the western world against which all other styles were judged. While there have been some deviations and experiments with the format in the past 50 plus ye...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that hollywood's ostensibly all-powerful film studios controlled the american film industry, creating a period of film history known as "classical hollywood".
- Analyzes how die hard utilizes a step-by-step style of narration, where the end and the objectives of the protagonist, john mcclane, are not arrived upon until all complications are resolved and enemies in the film are eliminated.
- Explains that hollywood films have reconnoitered numerous ways to tell a story, styles of cinematography, and technological effects, but one element remains: the notion of 'neatly' happy ending.'
574 wordsRead More - Melville’s Tools of Bob le flambeuranalytical essayRemoving the sound from Melville’s Bob le flambeur might lead one to believe that he or she is watching a Hollywood film noir, circa 1950. Melville, though not professionally trained as a director, manages to create an oddly stirring and quirky French film shrouded in the sheer curtain of Hollywood film noir. Though he retains much of the Hollywood style, he also employs tools of his own—camera movement and voice-over—to embrace the film in Melville-vigilante-style.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how melville, though not professionally trained as a director, manages to create an oddly stirring and quirky french film shrouded in the sheer curtain of hollywood film noir.
- Analyzes how melville uses the trademarked tools of the noir film. high key lighting, flooding shadows, tall, looming men, gambling, and near silence lend to the typical noir style.
- Analyzes how melville's narrator from bob le flambeur is employed in a similar way in 1947’s la silence de la mer.
- Analyzes melville's stylistic tool of the voice-over by a narrator. instead of introducing characters and settings, the narration tells the story as it is happening.
- Analyzes how melville provides other traits of hollywood films. he uses ann, a simple girl who is not so much innocent as wise, as the recipient of the patriarchal, yet slightly romantic ambiance emitted by bob.
1055 wordsRead More - Kane's Use Of Telling Techniques In Citizen Kaneanalytical essayThe flashbacks are given from the perspectives of characters who are aging or forgetful, which casts doubt on the memories being discussed. These are unreliable narrators whose own opinions and interpretations affect their accuracy. The storytelling techniques succeed in depicting Charles Foster Kane as an mysterious, a distressed, complicated man who, in the end, leaves viewers with more questions than answers and inevitably invokes sympathy rather than contempt. Welles's achievements in this film marked a new direction in cinema. Many critics argue that Citizen Kane, with its inventive use of lighting and shadow, is the first film noir, or at least the direct predecessor of noir, a genre that employs dark, moody atmosphere to augment the often violent or mysterious events taking place. Citizen Kane introduced Hollywood to the creative potential of cinematic
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how welles' achievements in citizen kane marked a new direction in cinema.
319 wordsRead More