Movie #137 Sweet Smell of Success *1957*

Tony Curtis - Sidney Falco
Burt Landcaster - JJ Hunsucker

Alexander Mackendrick (Director)

This is the sexiest "ugly movie" I can remember.  That is to say that the themes in this movie are greed, desperation, jealousy, ruthless ambition and dominance while the images and verbiage are gorgeous.  JJ Hunsucker is a gossip columnist for a NY newspaper.  He is an amoral cut-throat with a razor sharp tongue and a sinister disposition to match.  His down on his luck lackey is Sidney Falco.  Falco is a snide, slimy little weasel that would rat out his own mother to get a spot in Hunsuckers column.

The plot revolves around Falco attempting to break up the relationship between JJ's sister and her fiance.  A jazz musician that while being a half-way intelligent/stand up guy, he is no match for the depravity of Falco and the influence and callousness of Hunsucker.  He quickly becomes the mench. 

The relationship between brother and sister is a lit bit of an uncomfortable one.  JJ loves his sister.  A little too much.  The film never really hints at any foul play, but his intense feeling for his sister made me squirm a little.

Speaking of squirming, Tony Curtis is superb as Falco.  Known for his pretty boy roles, Curtis really breaks his own mold in this film.  He shows charm and charisma all the while slowly turning the knife in your back.  At one point he basically pimps out a female that had turned to him for help all in an effort in get a smear line in a rival paper.  Lancaster is great as JJ too.  The first scene we meet him he is having lunch with an "agent", his "talent" and an unexpecting Senator.  The way Lancaster emotionally breaks down everyone at the table simply by spewing his vitriol hooked me for the rest of the movie.

Fortunately the film doesn't rest on the power of its performances.  This is one of the shaprest scripts that I can remember.  Any fan of this years The Social Network (or at least its screenplay) should check out this movie.  The rapid fire dialogue reminded me a lot of the films of Howard Hawks.  you just don't hear people deliver lines like this anymore.  Then there is the direction.  The director had made The Ladykillers and would go on to make The Guns of the Naverone, but this is a true noir unlike any of his other films.  The pace is even and the atmosphere is tense and uneasy. 

I loved the music for this movie.  With a staring role is The Chico Hamilton Quintet.  They have a very 60's "beat" sound that works great for this film.  The entire picture had sort of a beatnik feel to it.  The film reminded me a lot of Citizen Kane.  I know that is high praise, but is about the newspaper business.  And I am sure anyone would agree with me that the themes are similar in both pictures. Also Glengary Glenn Ross came to mind while I watched this movie.  That should be a big plus too.

Sweet Smell of Success has just been re-released by The Criterion Collection on Blu-Ray.  I give the film ★★★★1/2.  Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.