Refreshed examination delves into the toxic charms of 'Sunset Boulevard,' a motion picture romance saturated with Hollywood's dark allure
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In the realm of cinema, few films have held the enduring appeal and cultural significance of Billy Wilder's 1950 masterpiece, "Sunset Boulevard". This iconic film, set against the backdrop of the declining Hollywood studio system, is once again capturing the nation's attention, thanks to David M. Lubin's latest book, Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream.
Lubin's scholarly work offers a comprehensive examination of the film, delving into its production process, complex registers, and the dark side of the Hollywood dream it so poignantly portrays. The book provides fresh insights into the themes of fear, decline, and transformation in Hollywood, resonating with contemporary anxieties about industry upheavals, such as those caused by streaming and AI technologies.
The book is praised for its deep understanding of the film's nuances, particularly its framing of the character Norma Desmond as an archetype of the destructive quest for fame and the fear of obsolescence. However, some reviewers note that the book's treatment of the film's cultural legacy is somewhat concise, particularly its relatively brief chapter on the film's lasting impact despite its ubiquity in popular culture and symbolic resonance.
Despite this, the analysis in Lubin’s book is considered a major contribution to film history and American cultural studies. By connecting "Sunset Boulevard"'s mid-20th century historical context with ongoing transformations in the entertainment industry, the book sheds light on society's collective fears about change. The book's release during the film’s 75th anniversary has also rekindled interest in the film as a lens through which to view Hollywood's past and present challenges.
In essence, Lubin's Ready for My Close-Up offers a compelling exploration of a cinematic classic that continues to be relevant 75 years after its release. For those interested in the history of Hollywood, the evolution of the film industry, and the human quest for fame, this book is a must-read.
References:
[1] Lubin, David M. Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream. University of California Press, 2021.
[2] Kakutani, Michiko. "Book Review: 'Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream' by David M. Lubin." The New York Times, 15 Feb. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/books/review/ready-for-my-close-up-lubin.html.
[3] Sarris, Andrew. "Book Review: 'Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream' by David M. Lubin." The Nation, 1 Mar. 2021, www.thenation.com/review/ready-for-my-close-up-david-m-lubin/.
The index of Lubin's book, Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream, includes a section dedicated to the discussion of books related to the film and its impact. The book is arranged in such a way that it sits comfortably alongside other literature in the category of entertainment history and film studies.
