Friday, September 28, 2012
Sunset Boulevard: The Price of Fame
The 1950's film, Sunset Boulevard was a black and white film showcasing how important fame is to some (almost all) people. With shows like American Idol and X-Factor, people of all ages are just competing for the fame, not to become artists. Back in the 40's and 50's when this movie was produced, there was no cell phones, and cameras was just among the rich, so the only way to become famous was through movies. Movies were fame machines back in that time. Norma Desmond is a prime example of what happens when fame goes to your head. She could not fathom the thought of no longer being famous and she would do anything to keep her fame.
Norma Desmond was once a high profile famous movie star in the silent film world. Gillis meets Desmond by parking his car in the attached garage of what looked to be a run-downed abandoned mansion, once inside he sees what you could call a shrine to Norma and meets her. The mansion symbolizes Norma; on the outside she no longer is a famous movie star but on the inside she still pretends to be highly famous. Gillis says to Desmond, "Hey I know you, you are Norma Desmond you used to be a big movie star." Desmond responded by saying, "I am big, it's the screen that got small." Her ego is so big that it couldn't fit on the screen. She is just one of numerous actresses that have fallen to the trap of fame. Although they are a few exceptions to the rule, such as Meryl Streep, in Hollywood mid-20 actresses are in high demand but once you begin to show a few wrinkles, you are out and replaced with someone younger. Norma was a victim to this terrible rule. She was in her prime during the age of silent movies, but once the talkies start to appear, along with her age, studios soon turned their back to her. Because she used to be so fabulously famous, Norma could not grasp the concept that she could no longer get a new movie role. The people once making her famous, is now preventing it. Even though fame isn't forever, Norma herself whispers at the end of movie, "the stars are ageless." She truly believes that she will be famous and well-known until the day she dies. This makes the audience wonder where does her madness end and our fantasy begin?
Although the movie-star fame comes with some perks, the drawbacks are out-weigh drastically. Norma ended up killing Joe Gillis because he threaten her comeback into the movie world. Fame consumed her and its tight grip would not release her. Everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame but what no one realizes is that you will never be the same after it. You will strive to maintain that famous status no matter what it takes, Norma just took it to the extreme and Gillis was unfortunately parked in the wrong garage at the wrong time and it was fatal.
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I think it is definitely true that when many people gain a taste of fame, they have a hard time turning back. For the most part, humanity as a whole enjoys attention. I’m sure everyone knows of someone who always needs the spotlight on him or her. That someone tends to be the one friend at the party who has to be the loudest and sometimes the most shocking. I am sure if you asked that person why they are like that and if they answered honestly, they would assure you it is because they feed/live off of the attention. The character of Norma completely embodies this entire idea. Her need for fame eventually ends up being her destruction.
ReplyDeleteThe film is also a commentary on materialism (which is a big part of the Hollywood industry). The entire time, Norma is convinced she is getting calls from the studio because they want to turn her screenplay into a movie. She is given hope that her acting career will be on track again. Eventually, the viewer comes to find out that the studio just wants to borrow her car for a film. They only need her for materialistic or vanity related matters. This same idea transcends to the casting of actors. Actors are often treated like cars. Often times, their fame is based on their appearances and less on their ability. Hollywood only values the actors while they are at the pinnacle of the perfection and then just upgrade to a different model.
-Bonnie Hance
This seems to be a common topic and familiar theme and that is Fame! Fame is definitely a major theme in this film and it does portray how people craved fame and would do almost anything to get to it or keep it. This is a trend that has remained consistent throughout time, whether it be through film, or through internet and television sensations. It is really hard for someone to go from being in the spotlight to becoming a regular person after stardom has eventually faded away. In this film Norma is not the only one who craved fame, almost every major role in this film wanted fame of soe sort. Gillis wanted to be a famous and well known screenwriter as well as Ms. Scahfer. In the end this cost all of them something very valuable, for Ms. Schafer, love, for Norma her freedom, and Gillis, his life. It is unfortunate that these are the same things that happen in our reality. Money and fame wins again.
ReplyDeleteKendrel Dickerson (Group3)