Today we’re strutting down Sunset Boulevard — metaphorically, of course. If we were literally walking down it, Norma Desmond would probably sashay out of her crumbling mansion and force‑feed us monkey funerals and delusional close‑ups.
But you don’t need delusion. You need clarity. And that’s what I’m going to do here.
This blog is your simple, friendly, no‑BS guide to:
- Understanding the film Sunset Boulevard (even if you “totally watched it” at 1.5× speed).
- Breaking down characters, themes, and symbols in a way that your English teacher will love.
- Writing a killer VCE essay without entering your own Norma‑level spiral.
This is a very brief guide to help guide you into a deeper analysis of the film and understand what the assessors and your teachers will be wanting to see in your writing for both the SACs and end of year exam. More detail can be found in various sources and found on my TPT page. You can always contact me through my email for a discount… if you ask nicely 😉
… What is Sunset Boulevard?
Billy Wilder’s 1950 film noir is part murder mystery, part Hollywood roast, and part psychological drama. Joe Gillis — our snarky, dead‑guy narrator — tells the story of how he became financially broke, morally compromised, romantically confused, and ultimately… well, shot into a swimming pool.
Think of it as the original “Hollywood chews you up and spits you out” movie, except with more mansions, fewer influencers, and slightly fewer ring lights.
Remember that Wilder created this film under false pretences by not giving Paramount the whole script. He turned the table on the industry without them even realising.
It’s also a very ‘meta’ film. The ‘meta’ casting of Gloria Swanson was insanely good. All the images, the film that she watches with Joe and played by Max was her own film and directed by Erich von Stroheim who plays Max. The film was never shown to American audiences, but through this film it gained an audience. Cecile DeMille was also a clever casting point. A highly successful director, acting in a film that criticises the very industry that he made a fortune from. The use of the waxworks was also a critique of Hollywood ‘spitting them out’ (please don’t write that in your essays) but they just became an image stuck in their own past.
Characters
Norma Desmond — Hollywood’s Ghost of Christmas Past
She’s once‑iconic, now delusional, fabulously dressed, and living in a dusty mansion with a pet chimp (RIP) and ex-husband.
Key ideas:
- A victim and monster of celebrity culture.
- Narcissistic, lonely, emotionally volatile.
- Lives in denial so deep she could out‑delude half of Instagram.
- Symbol of how Hollywood discards ageing women.
Joe Gillis — The Human Moral Grey Area
Talented-ish, broke, charming, tired.
He’s torn between:
- Norma’s money and
- Betty’s belief in his talent
- He lets ambition override integrity, and his choices literally kill him.
Betty Schaefer — The Sane, Sweet, Smart One
Optimistic. Principled. Ambitious.
She represents the truthful, grounded version of writing and filmmaking — everything Norma isn’t.
Max von Mayerling
Norma’s ex‑husband / servant / director / personal ghostwriter.
Proves that love can be loyal… or delusional… or both.
Side note
There are plenty of minor characters that Wilder employs that represents different aspects of Hollywood that will add that extra spark to your writing and reveal to the markers of your work that you know more than just obvious.
Themes
Reality vs Illusion
Hollywood is basically a giant, glittery lie.
- Norma lives in a fantasy where she’s still a star.
- Joe performs a version of himself to survive.
- The film mixes truth and fiction (e.g., actual stars like DeMille cameo).
Relationships
Every relationship = power imbalance.
- Norma controls Joe with money.
- Joe and Betty connect through creativity and honesty.
- Max sacrifices everything for Norma’s emotional survival.
Fame
Short version: Fame is a trap.
Long version: Fame is a psychological prison that isolates, corrupts, and eventually destroys the people who worship it.
Gender
Wilder critiques:
- Ageism against women
- Male‑dominated Hollywood power structures
- Unfair expectations of femininity
Norma flips the power dynamic with Joe — and it breaks him.
Ambition
Ambition is great — until it isn’t.
Joe compromises his morals. Norma sacrifices her sanity. Hollywood rewards neither.
Symbols That Give Your Essays that Extra Spark
The Chimpanzee
No, seriously.
Symbolises:
- Norma’s extravagance
- Her fading career
- Foreshadows Joe’s death
Norma’s Mansion
Dark, dusty, decaying = her mind, career, and grip on reality.
The Pool
A luxury symbol twisted into Joe’s grave.
Lighting (Spotlights!)
Whenever Norma steps into a spotlight, it symbolises her clinging to fame.
SIDE NOTE
There are many other symbols featured in this film. You could write a thesis on this alone, but the key is to be selective. Embed these with your analysis of the theme and character linking them to how they support Wilder’s message.
Final Thoughts From Ronnie
Remember:
You don’t need to analyse everything., buy what you do analyse you need to do it well.
Sunset Boulevard is perfect for VCE because it’s dramatic, symbolic, morally messy, and full of rich film techniques — all wrapped in a glamorous Hollywood tragedy.
If you want more details, please feel free to get in touch.
You’re ready for your close‑up.
Ronnie
Ronnie's Ramblings 