This is a good breakdown. I feel like you really get at why Billy Wilder's films feel so tightly wound, why all the small moments just bounce of the screen.
“Sunset Boulevard”... hands down. So many others of his are masterful but this one is so beautifully cynical, taut, subtly propulsive, and imbued with such rich character development. “The Apartment” is another tasty seven layer cake but “Sunset Boulevard” is the gourmet meal that I personally am a bit more partial to.
Sunset Boulevard is the platinum standard for motion pictures. Brittle and intelligent dialogue, mature character development, glorious cinematography and a haunting score from Franz Waxman. It's a film that will still be watched and revered 100 years from now. Billy Wilder was such a remarkable talent, equally adept at both drama and comedy.
Sunset Blvd. is my favorite Wilder film. Probably my favorite movie ever. I loved The Seven Year Itch, a Wilder film also- plus the immortal Marilyn Monroe!
Fantastic video! Sunset Boulevard was the first Billy Wilder film I saw, and it simply floored me. This film is a special piece of cinema, and the screenplay is one of the biggest reasons for that. My personal favourite Wilder films are Some Like It Hot and The Apartment, but Sunset Boulevard isn’t that far behind! Truly one of the greatest films in cinema :)
Billy Wilder admired Ernst Lubitsch so much he had this sign posted above his office door, "How would Lubitsch do it?" Odd no Lubitsch movie is listed here.
Most people today would find very boring any Lubitsch film including many others including "Citizen Kane" Sadly, it seems the basic reason is that the film is not in color and is in Black and White. For some reason "Casablanca" doesn't seem to meet the same fate. But I sometimes wonder just how long the appreciation for "Casablanca" will last?
I loved the tips about answering with some other phrase instead of yes or no, and building tension by having characters not answer questions. Thanks a million Script Sleuth!
It's interesting that things that make Norma Desmond creepy and stuck in the past (her old fashioned car, for example) and used to comedic effect on the Jack Benny Show.
Definitely The Apartment, although Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 27, Avanti, The Lost Weekend and Double Indemnity are strong contesters, too. (As is basically any other Billy Wilder movie, he's just that good).
@@ScriptSleuth You should! It doesn't have an intricate plot but it makes up for that with a beautiful Italian location, a perfect cast (Jack Lemmon) and overall just an uplifting mood.
Support the channel on Patreon and get access to more videos: patreon.com/scriptsleuth CITY OF GOD CRIES AND WHISPERS DO THE RIGHT THING IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Sorry to be so offtopic but does someone know a method to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me.
@Roman Oscar I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm trying it out now. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Mr. Wilder was the director. Charles Brackett wrote the screenplay on Sunset Boulevard and was Wilder's collaborator on several movies. Mr. Brackett also served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts (the Oscars) in the early 1950's. Let's give credit where credit is due. He was a skilled writer with several outstanding credits to his name.
Another excellent, inspiring analysis, thanks! When you talked about scene goals and scene agitators it immediately made me think about McKee's 'Gap' between expectation and result. It's really fascinating how great writing has us so engaged in the story and characters the tools are practically invisible (at first glance). Perhaps wishy-washy goals & conflicts are the problem in many modern movies, trying to be 'original'?
I think I'm confusing myself on what is a "Emotional Shield" It's like a tactic that a character does to hide their "wound/Ghost"? or The lie the character believes?
Gloria Swanson was a superb actress one of the first nominated for an Oscar she should have one for this but was up against Bette Davis for All about eve and they split the vote . Gloria is a great movie character in Hollywood history!
I like "Irma La Douce" as well as "The Apartment" and "Some Like It Hot" the best from Billy Wilder. "Sunset Blvd." is okay, but not my favorite. "The Apartment" is my favorite Billy Wilder film. Oh, and then there's the more obscure "One, Two, Three" with James Cagney and Co. which is also a great ride.
Ohhh fake environment to reflect shallowness in some way Scene agitator - Dialogue - jousting over one bone Complications - don't give character what is wanted
"Audiences don't know that somebody sits down and writes a picture." "It's no secret that Billy Wilder is one of the undisputed masters of dialogue." These videos are great, but it's really frustrating that screenwriters would advocate the auteur theory for other writers. Billy Wilder's This! Billy Wilder's That! What if Charles Brackett did most of the dialogue for "Sunset Boulevard?" And your video of "The Apartment" assumed that I.A.L. Diamond didn't exist, let alone be responsible for great things in the script. In his entire American career, Billy Wilder never wrote a screenplay without a partner. One would assume Wilder chose his partners because they had talents comparable to his own, not because he needed somebody to talk to when taking a break from his Works of Genius. Why would you proclaim these scripts to be great without acknowledging who wrote them, without playing favorites?
Hi Daniel, I live in India, and am interested in supporting your content. The price of the Patreon $3 all access membership is almost similar to the cost of Joining your channel on TH-cam but the benefits are the same as the $1 Patreon membership. Would you consider giving the same benefits for the TH-cam membership? It's just that I've never been a Patreon user and am more comfortable with TH-cam.
Hi Rishi, I really appreciate that! The issue with TH-cam is that the types of member posts are really limited, so I can't post large attachments (like my complete film analyses, or the script downloads, for example).
This is a good breakdown. I feel like you really get at why Billy Wilder's films feel so tightly wound, why all the small moments just bounce of the screen.
It's no coincidence that he has four screenplays on the WGA's 101 Greatest list.
@@ScriptSleuth He should of had more like Ace in the Hole.
Agreed. I would add The Lost Weekend in there as well.
“Sunset Boulevard”... hands down. So many others of his are masterful but this one is so beautifully cynical, taut, subtly propulsive, and imbued with such rich character development. “The Apartment” is another tasty seven layer cake but “Sunset Boulevard” is the gourmet meal that I personally am a bit more partial to.
Can't really argue with that! 🙂
Sunset Boulevard is the platinum standard for motion pictures. Brittle and intelligent dialogue, mature character development, glorious cinematography and a haunting score from Franz Waxman. It's a film that will still be watched and revered 100 years from now. Billy Wilder was such a remarkable talent, equally adept at both drama and comedy.
The Apartment! Surely his best! Such a simple everyday plot lifted by an incredible screenplay!
Let's not underestimate Norma's creepy, clutching hands throughout . One of my favorites. I recommend it all the time.
Great analysis as always! This has to be one of the most universally beloved films ever.
Thanks, Carol! It certainly is in the upper echelon of films.
There are films equals excellent, but as far as films on this topic. - this is it.
Sunset Blvd. is my favorite Wilder film. Probably my favorite movie ever. I loved The Seven Year Itch, a Wilder film also- plus the immortal Marilyn Monroe!
You already know I’m gonna ask for one on In Bruges
Fantastic video! Sunset Boulevard was the first Billy Wilder film I saw, and it simply floored me. This film is a special piece of cinema, and the screenplay is one of the biggest reasons for that.
My personal favourite Wilder films are Some Like It Hot and The Apartment, but Sunset Boulevard isn’t that far behind!
Truly one of the greatest films in cinema :)
Agreed! I also like Double Indemnity and The Lost Weekend.
@@ScriptSleuth I haven’t seen Double Indemnity yet, but I intend to very soon. And yes, The Lost Weekend is another gem, along with Stalag 17!
Billy Wilder admired Ernst Lubitsch so much he had this sign posted above his office door, "How would Lubitsch do it?"
Odd no Lubitsch movie is listed here.
I think the sophistication of any given Lubitsch movie may go over the heads of most people.
Most people today would find very boring any Lubitsch film including many others including "Citizen Kane"
Sadly, it seems the basic reason is that the film is not in color and is in Black and White. For some reason "Casablanca" doesn't seem to meet the same fate. But I sometimes wonder just how long the appreciation for "Casablanca" will last?
I've seen The Apartment (multiple rewatches), and just recently saw Some Like It Hot for the first time. Now I'm seeing this one.
The apartment has a Mr Sheldrake as also Sunset Blvd.
True!
Miss Swanson should've won the Oscar for this role. I.C.O.N.I.C. performance.
@@valsainking Agreed!
I loved the tips about answering with some other phrase instead of yes or no, and building tension by having characters not answer questions. Thanks a million Script Sleuth!
Glad you found it useful!
"Whats the worst thing that could happen? What would Billy Wilder do?" Wonderful! I'm definitely subscribing!
Welcome to the gang!
That scene agitator technique reminds me of The Godfather scene when Michael is told of his brother’s murder.
Exactly! I even talk about that scene in my Godfather analysis. Great observation!
I like your technique of introducing a point and letting the film speak for itself in supporting it.,
Exactly! The source material is excellent in itself. You don't need me blah-blah-blah-ing over everything. 🙂
I love all of those films. He is so talented.
Thank you for this commentary. Sunset Boulevard is one of my favorite movies of all time. Yes, story is king 💜
Thank you for watching!
It's interesting that things that make Norma Desmond creepy and stuck in the past (her old fashioned car, for example) and used to comedic effect on the Jack Benny Show.
This is one of the best Billy Wilder's script, but the apartment and Ace in the Hole are also master writing material
This film has more great lines than any other film I've seen. If I could have dinner with any director it would be Wilder.
Buster has a grand moment, and gets to do it silently.
What's your opinion on the best Billy Wilder film?
Some Like It Hot
Definitely The Apartment, although Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 27, Avanti, The Lost Weekend and Double Indemnity are strong contesters, too. (As is basically any other Billy Wilder movie, he's just that good).
@@iododendron3416 Avanti... I haven't heard of that one. Gotta check it out!
@@ScriptSleuth You should! It doesn't have an intricate plot but it makes up for that with a beautiful Italian location, a perfect cast (Jack Lemmon) and overall just an uplifting mood.
I would say "Ace in the Hole" with Kirk Douglas. Brilliant movie. Great dialogue
Sunset blvd is one of best movie ever and one of best script ever I have seen
Can't argue with that!
FANTASTIC ANALYSIS !!!
Thanks, Andy!
Support the channel on Patreon and get access to more videos: patreon.com/scriptsleuth
CITY OF GOD
CRIES AND WHISPERS
DO THE RIGHT THING
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Sorry to be so offtopic but does someone know a method to log back into an instagram account??
I was stupid lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me.
@Dante Billy Instablaster ;)
@Roman Oscar I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm trying it out now.
I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Roman Oscar it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thanks so much, you really help me out !
@Dante Billy you are welcome :)
Mr. Wilder was the director. Charles Brackett wrote the screenplay on Sunset Boulevard and was Wilder's collaborator on several movies. Mr. Brackett also served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts (the Oscars) in the early 1950's. Let's give credit where credit is due. He was a skilled writer with several outstanding credits to his name.
True. I certainly didn't mean to imply that it was 100% Billy Wilder. Thanks for your comment.
There are three attributed to writing the screenplay, Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett and D.M.(Mac)Marshman.
Another excellent, inspiring analysis, thanks!
When you talked about scene goals and scene agitators it immediately made me think about McKee's 'Gap' between expectation and result.
It's really fascinating how great writing has us so engaged in the story and characters the tools are practically invisible (at first glance).
Perhaps wishy-washy goals & conflicts are the problem in many modern movies, trying to be 'original'?
Great comment, Ruy! Thanks for tuning in.
So many are trying not to offend anyone now days it's sad
Great analysis and lots of inspiring lessons, thanks for this video
Hey guys, please do me a huge favor and hit the LIKE button (above). That's all I ask - it helps out the channel a lot!
A great unknown screenplay is written for 1981 movie True Confessions.
Totally in hard boiled Noir style. Truly a gem. Worth to check out that one!
Thanks for the recommendation!
@@ScriptSleuth You're Welcom. Keep up the good work. Enjoy
Great site and great movie
I think I'm confusing myself on what is a "Emotional Shield" It's like a tactic that a character does to hide their "wound/Ghost"? or The lie the character believes?
You got it!
@@ScriptSleuth Sounds like something narcissists do...
Read the good book:: Close-up on Sunset Boulevard: Billy Wilder, Norma Desmond, and the Dark Hollywood Dream
such a compelling film
The Apartment is pretty masterful
Agreed!
This is so fun! Thanks for the great insight!
Thanks for tuning in!
Most purely entertaining- Witness for the Prosecution (and not often mentioned-The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes)
Excellent analysis
Thanks!
Billie great film maker...but Gloria is just gloriously perfect in this.👏👏👏👏
This movie is brilliant!
Agreed!
excellent video
Thanks for watching!
Billy Wilder seemed to like the name "Sheldrake", didn't he?
Haha good catch. He did!
@@ScriptSleuth I had just been watching both your and Just Write's videos about The Apartment before watching this one. :)
@@jvgreendarmok Sage does a great job on his channel!
eric von stroheim as max is my fav character lol, open the gate😂
Perhaps Wilder's greatest comeback, (Jack Webb) "Where have you been keeping yourself?" (William Holden with his head hung low) "I haven't been."
Can't beat the ending of "Some Like It Hot," but it is a great line.
Great video. Small correction @ 14:05 "undertaker" not "caretaker".
Whoops! Thanks for catching that 😅
Sunset Boulevard is the 33rd highest rated film ever according to They Shoot Pictures don't they (2021 edition).
Gloria Swanson was a superb actress one of the first nominated for an Oscar she should have one for this but was up against Bette Davis for All about eve and they split the vote . Gloria is a great movie character in Hollywood history!
Can you also do terminator 2
That's a good one! Thanks for the suggestion.
I can't belive the guy from Some like it hot us the SAME one who did as Sunset Boulevard!!!!!??????? I'm shooketh
And The Apartment.
I like "Irma La Douce" as well as "The Apartment" and "Some Like It Hot" the best from Billy Wilder. "Sunset Blvd." is okay, but not my favorite. "The Apartment" is my favorite Billy Wilder film. Oh, and then there's the more obscure "One, Two, Three" with James Cagney and Co. which is also a great ride.
do braveheart please. that's an excellent movie of course. have you analyzed it before?
Not yet, but it's definitely on the list! Thanks for your suggestion.
Charles Brackett wrote the script with Billy Wilder.
This was a really wonderful movie and exposed Hollywood for what it is
a tie between : Double Indemnity and Ace in the Hole.
Both excellent choices!
@@ScriptSleuth +May I add The Lost Weekend?
For me it was the voiceover narration by a dead body. I mean it doesn't get more creative than that 😅
Haha, good point!
Sunset B
Ohhh fake environment to reflect shallowness in some way
Scene agitator -
Dialogue - jousting over one bone
Complications - don't give character what is wanted
Best written Billy Wilder film,, The Apartment. Shut up and deal the cards.
That's the way it crumbles, I guess... Cookie-wise.
"Audiences don't know that somebody sits down and writes a picture."
"It's no secret that Billy Wilder is one of the undisputed masters of dialogue."
These videos are great, but it's really frustrating that screenwriters would advocate the auteur theory for other writers.
Billy Wilder's This! Billy Wilder's That!
What if Charles Brackett did most of the dialogue for "Sunset Boulevard?"
And your video of "The Apartment" assumed that I.A.L. Diamond didn't exist, let alone be responsible for great things in the script.
In his entire American career, Billy Wilder never wrote a screenplay without a partner.
One would assume Wilder chose his partners because they had talents comparable to his own, not because he needed somebody to talk to when taking a break from his Works of Genius.
Why would you proclaim these scripts to be great without acknowledging who wrote them, without playing favorites?
It's a good point you make, and I certainly didn't mean any disrespect to the other writers.
ok boomer
@@ambskater97 Ooo! Witty! Pithy!
Overdone and unoriginal!
💋
Hi Daniel,
I live in India, and am interested in supporting your content. The price of the Patreon $3 all access membership is almost similar to the cost of Joining your channel on TH-cam but the benefits are the same as the $1 Patreon membership. Would you consider giving the same benefits for the TH-cam membership? It's just that I've never been a Patreon user and am more comfortable with TH-cam.
Hi Rishi, I really appreciate that! The issue with TH-cam is that the types of member posts are really limited, so I can't post large attachments (like my complete film analyses, or the script downloads, for example).
@@ScriptSleuth Patreon it is then!
@@rishikamath6718 You rock! 👊
@@ScriptSleuth would you consider analysing any work by Sorkin, Damien Chazelle or Matthew Weiner (Mad Men of course)
@@rishikamath6718 Oh, for sure! Sorkin is definitely on the list.
You are Norma Desmond ,you USE TO BE BIG !I,m big,The pictures are small!
You're overanalyzing what is already evident. Yawn...
@@snarflatful Thanks for the comment! ❤️
they may be evident to you, sir, but not to everyone, including my undergraduate students with no experience of visual analysis