Film Reviews

The Sweet Smell of Success

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Barbara Nichols
• Details: US / 90 mins / (12PG).

A timely re-release, The Sweet Smell of Success follows the (mis) fortunes of J.J. Hunsecker (Lancaster), the most powerful newspaper columnist in New York City. A gossipmonger, Hunsecker has the ability to crush and build reputations with one of his columns for a Big Apple rag. One of his 'pawns' is Sidney Falco (Curtis), a publicist so desperate to be a successful representative for his clients that he will do anything to ensure that they get a mention in Hunsecker's columns. Through the characters, their motivations and actions, the whole concept of fame is examined and debunked in The Sweet Smell of Success. Indeed, it's an impossibly accurate and scathing attack on the concept of the façade of modern culture. Yet more important than any message, The Sweet Smell of Success is a brilliantly acted, scripted and acted drama that deserves to be seen on the big screen. Do yourself a favour and go.

Review by Garreth Murphy