Who Is Billy Wilder's False Ambition In Sunset Boulevard

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Billy Wilder’s noir film ‘Sunset Boulevard’ is a gothic horror that depicts the dark side of Hollywood, highlighting its rather uncaring and numbers focused treatment of actors, screenwriters and directors. The film showcases the misleading ambition that many characters are blinded by in this “Hollywood machine”. Other characters in the film, similar to those “blinded by ambition” are instead following those goals left by others, neglecting their own future or career. However, during the film, not all characters follow this “blinding ambition” and still uphold their own ideas and morals. Due to the ever-asking and needing nature of the ‘Hollywood machine’, many characters are forced to abandon their morals and blindly follow their ambitions for the sake of their careers and desires. Norma Desmond the films antagonist …show more content…

Wilder also uses Joe’s character to depict this idea in a different light being Joe is not rich nor retired, barely hanging on to his job as a screenwriter struggling for money, Joe sells himself to Norma with the hope that he can still stay within this “hollywood machine” for just a bit longer. It’s clear that Joe is not content with where he is in the film, Betty suggesting that he hates himself asking “Do

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