This pitch-black all-time film noir classic sees Joe Gillis, a broke screenwriter, ensnared by Norma Desmond (a never better Gloria Swanson), as a washed-up delusional silent-film star longing for her glorious silver screen comeback. Are you ready for your close-up? Showing as part of our Billy Wilder season.
When dashing pickpocket Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell – Moon), seen-it-all safecracker Mr. Snake (Marc Maron – Glow), chill master-of-disguise Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson – Hot Tub Time Machine), short-fused “muscle” Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos – In the Heights) and sharp-tongued expert hacker Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina – Crazy Rich Asians) are caught red-handed after years of countless heists, Mr. Wolf brokers a deal he has no intention of keeping to save them all from prison: The Bad Guys will go good.
A venomous Hollywood elegy where fame rots, dreams linger, and a forgotten star scripts her comeback by consuming the man foolish enough to believe it. And keep an eye out for Norma Desmond’s butler, her one time husband and now flunky played by none other than master director Eric von Stroheim.
Click here for Dementia Friendly Palace screenings – Billy Wilder
We are very grateful to have received support for “Nobody’s perfect!” from the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from the National Lottery in order to bring this project to more audiences across the UK. They, in turn, would be very grateful for your feedback on the screening/s you attended as part of the season – thank you very much if you could spare 5 minutes for this short Audience Survey https://online1.snapsurveys.com/ymhad6?A=HUB&P=SE78
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim & Nancy Olson
Year: 1950
Language: In English
Country: USA
Running time: 1hr 50mins