Sweet Smell of Success
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Movie Reviews of Sweet Smell of Success
Movie Review: Written in Acid
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the great films of the 1950's. You may recall a scene in Barry Levinson's "Diner" where a character in a poolhall walks around reciting lines from a movie. Well, this is that movie and the lines are worth reciting. "Match me, Sidney." The acting of all involved is wonderful, including Sam Levene and the sadly forgotten Barbara Nichols as the cigarette girl who is used by everyone around her. Lancaster is wonderful as the Walter Winchell-inspired columnist who considers it his god-given right to make or break anyone who crosses his path. This is the film for which Tony Curtis will rightfully be remembered. He is amazing in this as a publicity flack who is ready, willing and able to sell his soul for a mention in Lancaster's column. Jazz fans will want to check out the club scenes: the music is provided by the Chico Hamilton Quintet.Movie Review: "From now on, the best of everything is good enough for me!"
Summary: 5 Stars
The only problem I have with this film (and it is a film, it is cinema, not just a movie) is that it doesn't last long enough.An hour and a half? I wish there were more scenes of Sidney Falco's life, some more scenes between Lancaster's seething Hunsecker and his timid sister (played by Susan Harrison). More wonderful scenes of Hunsecker baiting Falco.
One of the best things about this film is the authentic location shots of NYC in the 50s. This film feels more realistic than other films of the 50s. This is not like "An Affair To Remember" or some other glossy Hollywood fare. "...Success" takes us to the underbelly of the city, and I'm not talking about the teen gangs etc., but the atmosphere of desperation and cynicism that leads certain people to lose their humanity.
One of the most underrated (and unseen) films of all time....Brilliant
Movie Review: Sweet Smell of Success
Summary: 5 Stars
Turning from his comedic work at Britain's Ealing Studios to direct this noirish, all-American masterpiece about greed, ambition, and the perversity of power, Alexander MacKendrick relied on estimable playwright Clifford Odets and writer Ernest Lehman for their scripting talent. What resulted was one of the most cynical, caustic films ever made about the sleazy underbelly of Manhattan show business, featuring blistering performances from Lancaster and a young Curtis in his prime. "I love this dirty town," proclaims the Walter Winchell-esque Hunsecker, and you never once doubt him. Sinister, tawdry, and burnished with a tone-perfect jazz score by Elmer Bernstein, "Success" was never this twisted.Movie Review: Underrated film about consequences of greed and selfishness
Summary: 5 Stars
Burt Lancaster has a younger sister whose life he wants to own and control; she wants to have a life of love with Martin Milner; Tony Curtis is so jealous of Burt's successful career that he is willing to go along with a smear campaign against Milner.
All of this greed and selfishness and corruption lead to trouble, to put it lightly, for those involved. We're just lucky nobody winds up dead, although that could easily happen.
This is a well written and well acted story which should gain more viewers as people become more aware of it. Great production design; set in 1957 New York; good black and white photography; great cast.
Movie Review: A classic to be sure
Summary: 5 Stars
No one has ever played a snearing, over bearing '50's gossip mogul better,then Bert, but the real slime ball is Tony Curtis. This has got to be one of the best Curis roles in one of my favorite movies ever. The Broadway scenes from the 50's are fantastic and the whole feel of the 21 Club and the crisp noir cinamatography are not to be missed. I've seen this movie many times over the years and it is still a winner. Almost a documentry in some scenes.