it is hard to decide which of the two lead characters in 'sweet smell of success' angers you the most. burt lancaster plays a power crazed journalist and tony curtis plays a thoroughly unethical publicist. the only reason to feel any sympathy at all for curtis', 'stanley' is because you know he will never get where he hopes to go.
this film is intense and full of interesting characters. aside from the two leads, there's the journalist's sister (beautifully acted) and her musician fella. there's stanley's secretary who is the moral anchor of his cramped little office. there is the girlfriend with a heart of gold who complies because she actually loves her ever stressed out stanley.
yes, tony curtis had a 'face', but only someone totally lacking in self esteem would put up with what's going on in that little mind of his. this movie is like watching tigers at play.
No comments:
Post a Comment