Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

In the shadow-streaked world of Broadway, 'Sweet Smell of Success' unfurls, painted with the stark noir of James Wong Howe's black and white cinematography. We meet J.J. Hunsecker, portrayed by Burt Lancaster, a domineering and notorious newspaper columnist for the New York Globe. Hunsecker rules his nocturnal kingdom with an iron fist, wielding his journalistic might to shape destinies and shatter lives. Caught in Hunsecker's web is Sidney Falco, an ambitious publicist played by Tony Curtis. Falco, a man devoured by his insatiable ambition, is willing to navigate the murky waters of morality to gain Hunsecker's approval, living by the ruthless creed, "dog eat dog." However, the street-smart publicist's early assertion that "Every dog has its day" ominously foretells a turbulent journey ahead. The plot thickens when Hunsecker's personal interests intertwine with his professional prowess. Determined to halt his sister's impending marriage to jazz musician Steve Dallas, he covertly employs Falco. The task? Sever the romantic connection by whatever means necessary, setting the stage for a gripping narrative of power, ambition, and manipulation. In 'Sweet Smell of Success', the script penned by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman brilliantly exposes the gritty realities behind the glamour of Broadway, offering a riveting exploration of the lengths people will go to in their pursuit of success.

Sweet Smell of Success is a crime movie featuring Burt Lancaster.

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