Dirty Movie Club: Sweet Smell of Success

b.miller · #1 02-19-2007, 01:33 AM

The Movie
Sweet Smell of Success
1957, dir. Alexander Mackendrick
Starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis

IMDb | Netflix | Blockbuster | Amazon

or it's probably in the Drama section of your video store, or Classics if your drama section doesn't have anything older than 1990 in it...

The Synopsis
Burt Lancaster plays a Walter Winchell-type uber-powerful Columnist in 50s NYC with Tony Curtis as a sleazy power-hungry press agent cowtowed to him in hopes of favors. It's like a contest to see who can out-talk and out-maneuver the other, all drenched in amazing location photography, cool jazz, and probably the best language you've heard in the movies or maybe just plain ever.

Why I Chose It
I think some movies represent more than reality and become a fantasy of a world that you'd want to live in. The first time I saw this movie, i wanted to talk like these guys in my real life. I tried and failed, but still. Similar to Strangelet, I resisted an urge to pick something that's well-known and decided to go with a movie that I just wish everyone I know has seen. I feel like, although this one is usually placed somewhere in those top 100 lists or whatever, maybe a lot of you have never seen it before and now this is your excuse. To those that have, it's an excuse to see it again!

Tom · #2 02-19-2007, 03:35 AM

Sounds great! I haven't seen it, so I'm really looking forward to it.

jOHN rODRIGUEZ · #3 02-19-2007, 12:20 PM

I watched it with me mum when I was age 6 or so and didn't get it, it will be another nice reminder of how great she is with this revisit.

I'm a bit confused on when we decide when the next in line will reveal their movie choice. I still haven't watched Joe vs. Volcano yet.

grady · #4 02-19-2007, 12:36 PM

I've got this added into a friend's netflix cue and will be watching Joe V. Volcano later this week.

Must say that I'm looking forward to Sweet Smell of Success and it's making me fret abit about my initial choice for my film next week as it's an old film as well, but I think I'm gonna stick with it.

patrick · #5 02-19-2007, 02:24 PM

i'd say having two on the go like this isn't a bad idea in terms of getting the netflix list up faster and such... anyhow i'm like john and havne't watch joe even yet... shall try to tonight...

Strangelet · #6 02-25-2007, 10:19 AM

i have a pretty extensive dvd rental here and they didn't have it. grateful for the extra time. I think a library would be a good source for this one.
hope i can find it, you have me sold on the descirption

kid cue · #7 02-28-2007, 07:41 PM

really, really looking forward to this, based on what i've read about it, but it's taken me forever to get Joe Versus the Volcano (hopefully watching it tonight), so ... maybe next week :|

kid cue · #8 04-16-2007, 02:36 PM

i watched this last night while a horrible storm was raging in Brooklyn. sort of SPOILERS below obv.

"brutal" is an apt word -- i know the Hunsecker character was based on a real journalist, but the whole situation with the kid sister was really dark and did seem like a bit of a stretch at times. that said, i'm glad the writers had that sort of ambition, and the dialogue certainly rose up to the occasion. it's so literary that it obviously merits plenty of rewatching. i might buy it, especially since the DVD is so cheap.

the comments about the camera techniques being "dated" seem ironic, given that the film is visually quite modern. i was actually surprised by how lush it looked. i'm thinking especially of the intricate cutting between different perspectives in early scenes (whose only purpose seemed to be to trace out a more immersive sense of space for the viewer), the intense light and shadow (particularly with Hunsecker), the very conscious framing of Falco trailing behind Hunsecker's shadow in most of their scenes together. i especially loved their first scene together, at the dinner table, with Hunsecker describing Falco's many faces and the camera isolating said faces, JJ's various descriptions modulating our understanding of Falco's psychology. it was a really smart use of the medium. then again, maybe this is typical of films from this era, in which case i'll just say that visually, the film seems fairly timeless.

there actually wasn't as much jazz as i was expecting. i wanted a sort of rollicking period film, steeped in 1950's New York City, and while that was basically there, the film was essentially a character piece with the setting as more of a given. bonus points for the sexy & dirty portrayal of journalism though. you (well, i) don't see interesting journalists in movies anymore.

sorry i've been slow with the movie watching. but i'm really enjoying it!