Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The 1957 United Artists release Sweet Smell of Success was one of the last movies of the film noir "era". Directed by Alex MacKendrick, the original story was written by Broadway press agent Ernest Lehman. The story earned Lehman the wrath of real-life gossip columnist Walter Winchell. Winchell felt that the story was not only a behind-the-scenes look at the world of gossip columnists but a thinly-veiled personal attack.

Burt Lancaster plays J. J. Hunsecker, scheming and ruthless top New York gossip columnist. Hunsecker routinely uses smear tactics, as well as blatant lies, to make or break careers and lives through items in his newspaper column. Hunsecker has all the trappings of success--expensive clothes, limousines, lavish apartment and influential friends in high places. However, Hunsecker maintains his position by using both tactics and contacts from the seamier levels of the New York scene. People from politicians to policemen find themselves influenced by Hunsecker's whims and he revels in his ability to control them. Enter, Sidney Falco.

Sweet Smell of Success is actually the story of Sidney Falco, his obsession to succeed and how he is drawn into an evil web in order to accomplish his goal. Tony Curtis plays Sidney Falco, mediocre press agent who seeks to elevate his career through an association with Hunsecker. However, Sidney has fallen out of grace with Hunsecker for his failure finish a job Hunsecker has given him. Falco is unsuccessfully trying to ruin the reputation of a young jazz guitarist Steve Dallas, played by Martin Milner. Dallas is in love with Hunsecker's sister, Susan, and J. J. is anxious to end the romance.

Curtis is brilliant as Falco, whose realm is the underside of New York's night scene--seedy bars, small-time crooks and double dealings. Sidney yearns to move into the world of Hunsecker and will do anything to get there. He shamelessly seeks Hunsecker's favor and is sometimes rewarded with a mention for one of his clients in Hunsecker's column. As Sidney says, "J. J. Hunsecker is the golden ladder to the place I want to get." Hunsecker recognizes Falco's deep ambition and uses it to his advantage.

While Lancaster often made use of his considerable masculine attractiveness and physical agility in other roles, he plays Hunsecker with extreme reserve. He is seen as stiff and rigid in dress as well as manner, his horn-rimmed glasses adding to the quietly menacing effect. Hunsecker exudes pure evil without turning a hair. Curtis, also having considerable physical attributes, is not seen in his usual role as a lady's man. Sidney is seen as always in motion--planning, plotting, making underhanded deals non-stop, using his attractiveness only when it serves him. Neither character has any redeeming qualities yet Falco does seem the more sympathetic of the two because his acts seem to spring from a desperate desire to succeed rather than a sadistic nature, as with Hunsecker.

The subplot involving Hunsecker's sister is not totally explored but has a definite incestuous tone. Hunsecker has an obsessive relationship with his sister, controlling her every move and keeping her a pampered prisoner in his penthouse apartment. Her relationship with the musician infuriates him and he is overcome with jealousy. This subplot is what angered Walter Winchell, who many believed had engineered the ruin of a man who wished to marry his daughter by using his status as a top gossip columnist.

Another interesting character in this film is Rita, played by Barbara Nichols. Rita is a waitress/cigarette girl at one of the nightclubs Sidney frequents. Rita is obviously attracted to Sidney but he sees her only as a dim-witted female that he might be able to use to his advantage--much the same way that Hunsecker sees him. Although Rita is used by Sidney, we also see that Rita is not at all dim-witted and much smarter than Sidney gives her credit for. Barbara Nichols is very convincing as Sidney's worldly yet pitiable young victim.

Sweet Smell of Success is a fast-paced story with a flavor of the 50's New York scene. The musical score of Elmer Bernstein is a perfect compliment to the setting. The wonderful cinematography of James Wong Howe perfectly conveys the darkness of the setting as well as the theme. This film climaxes in true noir fashion, with the scheming and manipulation of the main characters serving only to cause a tragic result. Sweet Smell of Success is a must-see for film noir fans.




Recommended: Yes

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