Sunset Boulevard Q&A

• Opening Credits; a body is discovered in the pool of a Hollywood Mansion
• The opening music and the long shot of the road in the film contribute to creating a mood of dramatic, lonely, mystery, tension, apprehension, terrified and shocked
• Voice-over explains that the 'poor dope' always wanted a pool, but the price 'turned out to be too high', referring to the main character Joe Gillis and his desires leading to the dark side of Hollywood
• Joe Gillis voice-over is a key storytelling tool, providing insight into Joe's character, his challenges, struggles, and the tough realities of the competitive Hollywood environment
• Joe Gillis is disillusioned and cynical about Hollywood, feeling overlooked and underappreciated by the industry
• Entrance gates to Paramount Studios symbolize the attraction and exclusivity of Hollywood, representing the gateway to fame, success, and the charming world of the movie industry
• Schwab's Pharmacy serves as a symbol of Hollywood's allure, desire, and the contrast between illusion and reality within the film construction
• Joe's plan to stash the car displays his resourcefulness, street smarts, and cautiousness as he navigates life in Hollywood
• Norma Desmond's belief that she is still "big" in Hollywood is portrayed through visual storytelling, dialogue, character interactions, and narrative development
• Norma's script reflects her complicated relationship with fame, legacy, possessiveness, and self-perception
• Norma's salon mise-en-scène accurately reflects her personality, status, history, mindset, and the overall atmosphere of her character's world
• Norma's decision to pay Joe's unpaid rent is driven by infatuation, manipulation, fear, and a desire for control
• Norma's clutching on Joe's arm conveys emotions of desire, fear, insecurity, control, and longing
• The "waxworks" symbolize former silent film stars who, like Norma, have fading careers, delusions, and isolation
• Joe's move into "the room of the husband" indicates various possibilities for the track of his relationship with Norma
• Norma's bedroom mise-en-scène conveys themes of longing, decay, and fantasy, reflecting her emotions and lavish lifestyle
• Norma declares her love for Joe on New Year's Eve, leading to a turning point in their relationship
• The gold engraved cigarette case symbolizes Norma's love for Joe on New Year's Eve
• Interactions between Norma and Joe are characterized by power struggles, complicated emotions, and dependency
• Norma and Joe are characterized by power struggles, complicated emotions, and dependency
• Betty is portrayed as hopeful, hardworking, and aspiring to be a screenwriter rather than read scripture
• Betty persuades Joe to work with her on a new movie she creates
• Joe's dependency on Norma's wealth is highlighted when he doesn't have enough money to buy cigarettes
• Norma has the power to control Joe due to her wealth
• Norma shows a Charlie Chaplin comedy performance to Joe to prevent him from getting bored
• Joe's disillusionment with Hollywood is contrasted with his initial hopefulness when he first arrived
• Norma visits Paramount studio after urgent calls and faces the harsh realities of aging and unimportance
• Norma and Isotta Fraschini share similarities in representing faded fame and delusions of beauty
• Norma speaks to Mr. Demille about her script, showcasing her delusion and unreasonableness
• Max is loyal and intelligent, hiding the truth about Paramount's interest in Norma's car
• Joe meets Betty at night to write a screenplay, illustrating their growing relationship
• Max reveals he was Norma's first husband and still loves her, protecting her from the truth
• Joe and Betty's true love is represented through camera angles and framing
• Norma's power over Joe is shown as she restricts his freedom
• Joe's criticism of Betty's understanding of plots reflects his own faults as a writer
• Joe invites Betty to Norma's mansion, showing his growing honesty and acceptance of reality
• Wilder uses techniques to show a shift in power and build tension between Joe and Norma
• Norma calls Betty to reveal the truth about Joe, driven by jealousy and fear of abandonment
• Joe decides to leave Norma, leading to a dramatic confrontation and Norma's threat of suicide
• Norma's delusions and obsession with her past fame are evident as she faces the reality of her situation