David O'ConnellSweet Smell of Success
October 1st 2010 04:45
R.I.P. Tony Curtis
There are films you encounter on your lifelong exploration of cinema that scorch your mind and leave you reeling. Impossible to forget, these singular works almost seem to redraw the boundaries of cinema itself. They’re akin to millions of lightbulbs going off in your head, revealing all the transcendent possibilities to be gleaned from the mysterious merger of light and sound. For me there are countless, vivid first viewings to treasure, Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, Bergman’s Persona, Welles' Touch of Evil, Hitchcock’s Rear Window, and Kurosawa's Rashomon amongst them.
But standing toe-to-toe with these and others is Alexander Mackendrick’s Sweet Smell of Success (1957), another bonafide cinematic landmark; a devastatingly brilliant glimpse into the wounded, willfully corrupted souls of men attempting to save their skins and advance their standing in life; men who would sell their own mothers to ensure such things.
If you're the kind of person who cherishes the unlimited possibility of words - whether the cohesive perfection on a printed page or the sound they make rolling off a tongue - then Sweet Smell of Success is a film for you to savour. Every line of dialogue sizzles off the page, the formidable pairing of Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis acting as conduits for an equally formidable pairing, that of Ernest Lehman and Clifford Odets, who collaborated here on adapting Lehman’s original novelette.
And what characters they produced: living, breathing organisms immersed in their element under the glittering, pinwheeling neon smears of New York’s Broadway. Here, J.J. Hunsecker (Lancaster) is a ruling king, the glorified deity of gossip columnists, wielding an almighty influence that has every hopeful and wannabe crawling on their knees to eat out of his hand.
Sidney Falco (Curtis) is the struggling press agent clinging to Hunsecker’s coat-tails, eternally imploring the newspaper man for an inch of column space to further the cause of his rapidly dwindling stable of clients. But Falco must work overtime to discourage the perception of him as a parasite with single-minded, self-serving interests to feed and nothing more.
As Elmer Bernstein’s throbbing, jazzy main theme blasts out over the opening titles we’re submerged into a world where Falco is in Hunsecker’s bad books. J.J. wants the beau of his 19 year old kid sister Susie (Susan Harrison) removed from the equation, and is banking on Falco to do his dirty work. But Susie is in love with Steve Dallas (Martin Milner) and unless Falco takes drastic measures to eliminate Steve, considered inappropriate for his little sister by the over-protective Hunsecker, his chances of ascension in this town will disappear like smoke.
Curtis and Lancaster
This is a screenplay dripping with caustic, memorable lines that seethe with the callousness and cynicism of its main players and reflect the compelling natures of the two men. Falco, peering up from the shiny surface of Hunsecker’s bootstraps, is more inclined towards philosophical realism; he wears no false robes and understands all too well his place in the scheme of things. He’s clearly long ago made peace with the dubious undertakings of his profession: “I’m only nice to people where it pays me to be nice.” He later describes his profession to a Senator: “A press agent eats a columnist’s dirt and is expected to call it manna.”
In a sense Falco idolizes Hunsecker for the possibilities his favours might mean, though Susie is flummoxed by Falco’s devotion: “Who could love a man who makes you jump through burning hoops like a trained poodle?” Even Hunsecker describes him thus to a scarlet taken by his pretty face: “Mr.Falco, let it be said at once, is a man of 40 faces, not one. None too pretty, and all deceptive.” Hunsecker’s secretary, witness to Falco’s compulsive need to peek at an early, pre-printing draft of J.J’s latest column, has her own slant: "You haven’t got a drop of respect in you for anything alive, you’re so immersed in the theology of making a fast buck.”
Hunsecker is a mesmerising figure and Lancaster’s masterful performance is possibly the greatest of his career. J.J.’s narcissism allows no other viewpoint to penetrate his world in which every sycophantic inquiry feeds his ego. He deploys Falco to do his dirty work, to tarnish Steve’s reputation, regardless of the cost, and baldly deny culpability – “My right hand hasn’t seen my left hand in 30 years.” – against those he sees as unworthy combatants: “I don’t relish shooting mosquitoes with elephant guns.” He’s used to rearranging everyone around him like chess pieces, but his irrational concern for Susie’s welfare becomes a poison that will ultimately destroy them both.
Both men are equally capable of anything, including monstrous manipulation. It’s this slippery morality that marks the film, provoking both to gaze probingly into the mirror at what they’ve become. But it’s Falco, existing in “a moral twilight”, who sees the first telling signs of self-destruction, or is willing to admit them at least: “You know, it’s a new wrinkle. To tell you the truth, I never thought I’d make a killing on some guy’s integrity.” The look of disdain on J.J’s face is priceless, as he tells him, “I’d hate to take a bite out of you. You’re a cookie full of arsenic.” But even the master can exceed the limits of what he expects from his underling: “J.J., it’s one thing to wear your dog collar. When it turns into a noose, I’d rather have my freedom.”
Sweet Smell of Success is a dazzling work of staggering, unforgettable genius; an unquestionable five-star film if such a measure ever need be applied. This was no random alignment of stars, but rather the purposeful merger of a band of incomparable talents: Lehman, Odets, Lancaster, Curtis and Mackendrick. As a union of artists these men would give birth to a film with a magnificent, cold, black heart; a warped, remorseless bleak lamentation for humanity jam-packed with venomous, acidic musings on the terrible failings of men through their avarice, jealousy and venality.
Happy endings? Not here, not in the world of Falco and Hunsecker, in this time and place that has always existed - yet is here encapsulated in an impression of life well ahead its time, in what will forever remain one of the greatest films ever made.
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Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
very very good review David!! A personal favourite of mine, indeed Curtis was a fine actor who's now gone to that big after party in the sky.
Sweet Smell of Success is an anmatched American film, simply for it's technique alone. Alexander McKendrick, one of my heroes, was possibly one of the greatest technitians in film, their were very few film makers who could match his technical precision, the only others which come to mind immediately are Orson Welles or Luis Bunuel.
considered an instant classic, McKendrick was always very self depreciating about this particular film, calling it 'flawed at best'. He claimed that Odets' script was a double edged sword, filled with fascinating sub-plots but marred by it's overly verbose gutter poetry which he devised elaborate camera movements to try and subdue.
This is indeed a searing film of greed and power and it's one of my most loved. Curtis was fantastic in this!
Great work Dave!
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
I really don't need an excuse to pull it out but with the passing of Curtis thought it was high time to lap it up once more. You can't possibly tire of cinematic gold like this.
Mackendrick's history, through his years in Britain, is a fascinating one, no doubt about it. He was a harsh critic of his own work then; I think it's flawless myself. Hard to believe he went from The Ladykillers to this.
Anyway, it was just a hell of a convergance of immortal talents - should have mentioned that the great James Wong Howe was behind the lens as well! Thanks for reading mate.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
lovely trib matey... just so sad, I grew up loving these great characters of the screen, and one by one, they are leaving us.
And man oh maaan!
What a GREAT take on Sweet Smell of Success!!! You brought it all back vividly for me, excellent job old top!
Lancaster has to be one of the great character actors the USA has produced, he was always mesmerizing to my mind, such presence!
I can't remember the name of the film, but it invloved Lancaster, and at the end they all took off their prosthetic makeup, and wow, was that a moment, as Lancaster appeared before your eyes... they were gypses... can't remember...dammit
But, poor old Tony, you felt the warmth of his character from the screen, and of course he shared that warmth a bit too far with the ladies!
cheers
fog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
“Uh - by the way, I got nothing against women thinking with their hips. That's their nature. Just like it's a *man's* nature to go out and hustle and get the things he wants.”– Sidney Falco
A great film that highlights what Tony Curtis could bring to the screen when given a good script and a talented Director. Lancaster also tones down the lock jaw delivery for one of his best roles.
I actually have dug through the archives and found I reviewed Sweet Smell of Success back in 2007. Have decided to repost it today as a remembrance and like you because it's a bloody cracking film that everyone should see.
Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
They don't make them like they used to fog. Lancaster was a towering presence on screen during his peak years. Even in later stuff like Atlantic City. That film you mention, could it have been The List of Adrian Messenger? A great film too.
Another choice quote there JD, so many beauties to choose from. Will check out your own review now mate.
Some Like it Hot and probably The Defiant Ones are two more that I need to check out again soon too Matt, even if they are the ones most readily associated with Curtis. I don't think his strike rate was as good as Lancaster's but he was still a fantastic actor, like JD said, with the right director guiding him.
Comment by MelG
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
you are a genius!!!
I just cheked that on wiki, you are dead right! And, I am glad to now report, that Lancaster played an old woman, I was going to suggest that above, but got cold feet, as was not sure whether I was projecting that image or not....tee hee!
I must try and find it, I only remember the revelation at the end....
cheers
fog
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Glad I could point you in ther right direction fog! I mostly remember The List of Adrian Messenger for the great Jerry Goldsmith score (one of his few masterpieces unreleased to date - though that may be about to change!). I do remember everyone peeling off the latex disguises at the end and quite a few famous actors were involved in that scene. Take care mate!