Just watched this last night and was absolutely stunned. For the very first time, a movie has left me positively speechless after it was over. I couldn't form one coherent thought or even say anything. Just - a cinematically flawless, perfect, beautiful work of art, in my opinion. The only other movie that comes to mind as perfect is Huston's The Maltese Falcon, but Sunset Boulevard just took my breath away.

Indeed, the scene you mentioned was a very good plot twist. Very unexpected, yet somehow almost as though once you find out, you see how it actually makes sense, in some weird, twisted way. This film is definitely a new favorite of mine. I've seen countless good movies, but none have ever wowed me like this one.

One thing that makes it great is that the people involved knew those characters and that world. Not to that extreme but close enough. It maintains that line of reality without crossing over to parody. Not only was Max, Norma's first husband but Eric Von Stroheim who played Max was Gloria Swanson's director on her 1928 film "Queen Christina" which she watches with Joe while Max works the projector. Which only adds another layer to the whole.

Norma Desmond at a restaurant

this is classic hollywood who are masters in film-noir. there is no beating that film making era. and movie endings like sunset blvd., witness for the prosecution, angel face and laura will never lose their wow factor even in the next 100 years to come

mulholland dr. is a great piece of work just like sunset blvd. is

@barrymost said:

Just watched this last night and was absolutely stunned. For the very first time, a movie has left me positively speechless after it was over. I couldn't form one coherent thought or even say anything. Just - a cinematically flawless, perfect, beautiful work of art, in my opinion....Sunset Boulevard just took my breath away.

Indeed, the scene you mentioned was a very good plot twist. Very unexpected, yet somehow almost as though once you find out, you see how it actually makes sense, in some weird, twisted way. This film is definitely a new favorite of mine. I've seen countless good movies, but none have ever wowed me like this one.

When new comments were adding to this thread the other month, it was during the latter part of a period of several (six or so) weeks when I was near entirely inactive from the TMDb boards for some time, therefore I, regrettably, failed to respond to anything.

barry, I remember late film historian (best known as Turner Classic Movies' [TCM's] longtime host and primary front person) Robert "Bob" Osborne one or more time mentioning, when intro'ing this movie, that it was his personal fave film. It's certainly a deservedly great one.

I'm glad the movie made such a profound impression on you. It, indeed, warrants its high position in both standing and cinematic history; it's got all sorts of terrific things going for it. (By the way, this is the only Gloria Swanson movie I like - and I've seen various of her silents, as well as a couple or so of her very early talkies.)

znex, good points you made. Yep: Swanson and von Stroheim went way back.

Invidia, I've to date never seen Mulholland Drive, but no doubt will at some point.

@tmdb24547891, I agree with everything you stated in your first comment!