EAL SAC 01

• The character of Norma Desmond symbolises the dark side of Hollywood fame through:

  • Delusion
  • Obsession
  • Loneliness
  • Tragedy
  • Desperation
  • Manipulation
  • Infatuation
  • Desire
  • Control
• The film's title, "Sunset Boulevard," in relation to its themes illustrates:

  • The dark side of Hollywood
  • The Paramount studio system
  • Obsession and delusion
  • The destructive nature of fame and celebrity culture
• Joe Gillis’ relationship with Norma Desmond changes throughout the film, revealing:

  • His dependency on Norma’s wealth
  • Delusion in the fantasy world
  • Becoming Norma’s partner for personal advantage
• The role of Max von Mayerling in Norma Desmond’s life:

  • A servant and former first husband
  • Writes fan letters to maintain Norma’s illusion of fame
  • Hides the truth about the reality of Norma’s glory
  • Makes Norma obsessed with herself
• "Sunset Boulevard" critiques the Hollywood studio system and celebrity culture by portraying:

  • A former famous silent film star's delusions of fame
  • Isolation and loneliness
  • Power dynamics
  • Optimism about restoring stardom
  • Neglect from society
• Billy Wilder uses stereotypes in Sunset Boulevard such as:

  • Norma Desmond fading in her career due to aging
  • Delusion, obsession, and inability to accept reality
  • Joe portrayed as a hard worker, victim, and dependent on Norma's finances
• In Sunset Boulevard, the femme fatale is represented by Norma Desmond, who is:

  • Selfish
  • Sexy
  • Manipulative
  • Infatuated
  • Desiring to control Joe through her finances
• Features of Sunset Boulevard that make it a "film noir":

  • Creates horror scenes, terror, and comedy
  • Explores the good and bad aspects of Hollywood
  • Contains sharp dialogue
  • Focuses on Norma's obsession with her past glory and her sadness at the end
• Norma Desmond is described as a "Femme fatale" emphasizing:

  • Selfishness
  • Obsession with her past life
  • Old age combined with a sexy demeanor
  • Delusion of fame and living in a fantasy world
• In Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder challenges his audience to look beyond stereotypes:

  • Norma, an old woman, falls in love with a young man, Joe
  • Joe is depicted as a kept man dependent on a woman's wealth
  • Wilder portrays Joe as a victim under Norma's control, although he takes advantage of her and desires a life like that
• Joe in Sunset Boulevard:

  • Initially appears as a struggling screenwriter
  • Revealed as a victim controlled by Norma, living in her mansion
  • Takes advantage of Norma's finances and portrays himself as a hard worker and unsuccessful screenwriter
• Role of Norma Desmond:

  • Comparable to Gloria Swanson, Mae West, Mary Pickford, Pola Negi, and Norma Shearer
• Differences between Norma Desmond and Betty Schaefer:

  • Betty: hard worker, level-headed, flexible, passionate, grounded in reality
  • Norma: deluded by fame, obsessed with past glory, avoids bad news and rejection
• The description of the huge mansion suggests that the people living there might be struggling with personal or emotional challenges
• Billy Wilder's concerns about Hollywood:

  • The way Hollywood views writers through the paramount studio system
  • Destructive nature of fame
  • Dark side of the Hollywood system
  • Lack of respect, acknowledgement, and issues like plagiarism, uncertainty, and prospects
• The end of the movie represents the rejection of reality and the idea that holding onto the past is detrimental