Critics' Picks - 'Sweet Smell of Success' | The New York Times

A. O. Scott looks at Alexander Mackendrick's 1957 film starring Burt Lancaster as a powerful gossip columnist and Tony Curtis as an ambitious press agent.
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Critics' Picks - 'Sweet Smell of Success'
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[@ElTuco84]

A masterpiece, I can totally understand why the critics paned it in 1957, the film is a reflection of themselves, a mirror of Hollywood.

[@waynej2608]

They should not have removed the gang plank, they may have wanted to get back on board.

[@N_Loco_Parenthesis]

panned

[@Fontsman]

Lancaster and Curtis turn in a tour de force. Everything about this film is fantastic. The script is razor sharp and brilliant. The cinematography masterful. One of great ones. Should be in everyone's collection.

[@willsi]

Burt Lancaster's a great actor. Thanks as always, A.O.

[@WSenator1]

Agreed. Burt could play a prize sucker in "The Killers" then turn around and play a prize monster in "Sweet Smell"

[@appujosephjose6129]

I saw it the other day. Brilliant film.

[@spartacusforlife1508]

I can remember watching this movie in my youth and was that discomforted by the characters I felt I needed to take a shower after watching it. I rewatched it in my twenties and can honestly say that Lancaster performed the finest piece of acting I have ever seen

[@tonyvallecillo7115]

JJ: "Can you deliver?" Sidney: "Cat's in the bag, bag's in the river."

[@romanclay1913]

"You're a cookie full of arsenic." "The cat's in the bag and the bag's in the river." TY Clifford Odets.

[@floppabingussled]

Lancaster's finest work on screen was in this classic directed by Alexander MacKendrick. Also, Curtis was riveting as Falco who is a willing pawn in many of Hunsecker's machinations. Mention must be made of the outstanding photography of the late James Wong Howe. He was credited for composing many of the most beautiful images in film over the last half century. A great film that stands the test of time.

[@dickandmariannemaynard5528]

William McDonald is

[@flashtheoriginal]

I agree, a classic for all time. I think Burt Lancaster was even better in Trapeze because it showed his strength alongside his vulnerability. Open for debate

[@hinderliem]

Amen

[@jasongeorge745]

Been a long time since I heard the word "Machination"

[@mortalclown3812]

​@@jasongeorge745 Ditto. Ah, the tragedy of our unused language.

[@user-gz7op7wd7y]

This film was said to be loosely based on the career of gossip columnist Walter Winchell. This was an adaptation of a Ernest Lehman and Clifford Odets story about big city journalistic corruption based on the short story "Tell Me About It Tomorrow". This film was an exceptionally fine piece of work masterfully done by many talented artist of that era. It doesn't get any better than this, one for the ages.

[@reginaldstyles3129]

Tony Curtis And Burt Lancaster Forever Great Actors 🙏💙😇

[@rusoviettovarich9221]

As great a performance that Lancaster gives it is Tony Curtis' that steals the film. All loathe JJ Hunsacker but but we all see just a tiny bit of ourselves in the weak wheedling and desperation of Sydney Falco. This is a classic film and it IS New York in the 50's with the dirty offices, apartments, smoky restaurants, 4 day old vegetables, cramped hallways and the night. 'Sweet Smell Of Success' Curtis' finest performance.

[@joelkweskin8545]

Curtis should have won Best Supporting Actor. I don't think he was even nominated.

[@milart12]

I love this dirty town

[@44iakhan]

thank you Mr Scott

[@davdgomez2232]

probably best actor's ever on their times both togheter or itself my favor actors

[@bigpapasmurfz6252]

This film is monumental. Not only is it the inspiration for the character 'Method' in Diner LOL. It is also the best sounding script ever written. I am a maniac for Chinatown. But, I will put this film's script up against Robert Towne's fabled text any day of the week. Outside of On the Waterfront and MAYBE All About Eve, I cant think of a better film in the 1950's. Thats right, I said it.

[@waynej2608]

Yes, and I agree 110%. And those others are terrific, too. Also, Caged, with the brilliant and beautiful Eleanor Parker. It's just that Sweet Smell...is the one! Imho.

[@redpenink12]

THIS is a great film.

[@dnoanoa]

this is a modern-day Shakespeare tragedy...brilliant

[@danieloconnor5089]

they both should have got a oscar for there performances lancaster best actor and curtis best supporting actor

[@davdgomez2232]

Burt Lancaster probably best actor's ever i read some comment of a big name movie star that actor's were out shadow when they film or outclassed with Burt Lancaster couse he was so good as an actor

[@Largentina.]

I agree but what I find funny is that when this movie was being made they didn't think Lancaster was going to be able to do it. They assumed he was just an action star and couldn't act good enough to be in a real serious dramatic movie. Boy, did he prove them wrong!

[@mortalclown3812]

​@@Largentina. Thank you for this post. Lancaster's complexity and off-screen anger point to an interesting inner struggle. He broke my heart in 'Atlantic City', and his work in 'The Leopard' has stayed with me for decades.

[@Largentina.]

@@mortalclown3812 Oh. My. God! Those two movies..... I adore those performances. Couldn't agree more.

[@d.carelli8036]

I love these picks thank you👍🏻

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

JJ Hunsecker strikes me as the kind of guy that's known the taste of toilet water since high school.

[@suzeaa]

Excellent.

[@davdgomez2232]

I agree with the comments of Dennis Curtis should had got an Oscar for the fugitives not the cornie of David niven

[@freedomofspeech6095]

This movie is outstanding

[@rachelring2542]

Classic, dark. Lancaster played the character beautifully...evil!!

[@user-nq4ry2be1s]

I also like d fugitive with tony curtis ,Sidney Poitier

[@TheWickerMan1981]

Most journalists at the NY Slimes are just like this character.

[@mortalclown3812]

Ironic appraisal delivered with the lexicon of the hack Post.

[@blipblip100]

Apart from the wonderful everything - There is a couple of weird shots where the eye line has changed and you wonder where Lancaster is actually sitting!!!!

[@alexthelizardking]

If there ever was a remake of this, Kevin Spacey is my pick to portray JJ Hunsecker.

[@andrewbloom7637]

@@DylanInBaja There was also a stage musical version of "Sweet Smell of Success" with John Lithgow as JJ Hunsecker, Brian D'Arcy James as Sidney Falco, and Kelli O'Hara as Susan Hunsecker (JJ's half-sister, upgraded from his full sister in the 1957 film). It debuted on Broadway in March 2002, but underperformed both critically and commercially, closing after just three months. It could benefit from the movie musical treatment, which should revive interest in the musical itself (and the original 1957 film too). Studio: MGM Filming location: Toronto, Canada Director: Damien Chazelle Associate Producer: Olivia Hamilton Choreographer: Sergio Trujillo Assistant Choreographer: Jennie Ford Orchestrator/Conductor: Justin Hurwitz Cast: *Dan Aykroyd as JJ Hunsecker *Carrie Underwood as Susan Hunsecker (JJ's daughter, upgraded from his half-sister) *Ryan Gosling as Sidney Falco *Shawn Mendes as Dallas Cochran *Fefe Dobson as Rita O'Rourke, Sidney's girlfriend *Jack Noseworthy as Otis Elwell, rival gossip columnist (Jack originated the role of Dallas on stage in 2002 and is married to Colombian-Canadian choreographer Sergio Trujillo) *Jonathan Frakes as NYPD Commissioner Harry Kello, Sr. *Stephen Kramer Glickman as NYPD Lieutenant Harry Kello, Jr., Commissioner Kello's son and the artistic director of the Policeman's Ball *Ed Robertson as Billy Van Cleve, owner of the Café Elysian *Ramin Karimloo as Tony, owner of the Club Voodoo *Jared Cotter as Club Zanzibar Singer *Greg Bryk as Senator *Robyn Hurder as Senator's Girlfriend *Paula Brancati as Dead Actress *Jennie Ford as Pregnant Woman *Timothy J. Alex as Tony's Caprice Bartender *Nicholas Colicos as Telethon Announcer *Sutan Amrull as Andre *Brock Hayhoe (aka Brooke Lynn Hytes) as Mae West *Anna Chazelle (Damien's sister) as Abigail Barclay, aspiring actress *Stella Aykroyd (Dan's youngest daughter) as Madge, JJ's secretary *Olivia Hamilton (Damien's wife) as Charlotte von Habsburg (formerly Pepper White)

[@rhythmfield]

I’m going to review this review: it’s a terrific, insightful glance at this film, but sort of peters out, dribbles to an inconclusive ending. Maybe try to close reviews with something conclusive or clear/definitive?

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

If it took place today, Sidney the publicist would be in the power position and Hunsecker would be the toady! "The cat's in the bag and the bag's in the river!" "I love this dirty town!" "Match me, Sidney."

[@djd620]

The guy in Diner's fave movie

[@jonveranto7303]

How predictive can you get??

[@hitomi1341]

The New York Timesに取り上げられた事は、この映画は大変な光栄です。 but New York 出身のバートやトニーのインタビューはないのですか？

[@genehenrylindgren]

A wonderful film, but very difficult to watch.

[@user-nq4ry2be1s]

Burt lancaster d best ever ,tony curtis is yest equal ,this is d best movie burt lancaster he ever made,so is tony curtis tony curtis is d best movie he ever made ,beside d one he made with frank sinatra ,ward movie ? With Natalie wood?

[@DenkyManner]

I found the dialogue a little too self consciously hip at times. Yes, it's razor sharp and all that but it's not real. I know it's not meant to be real, so it's just a case of personal taste if you can tolerate every single character being the coolest, quickest sharpest person ever to have lived. It gets a bit tiring just how brilliant everyone is all the time. No one can say anything that doesn't sound finely honed. Lancaster was terrifying. Curtis was amazing, especially when his blackmail attempt fails. The end is very interesting in that there's no redemption, the tiny flicker of Curtis's conscience earlier on speedily snuffed out by the prospect of personal success. It had to be that way to tell the story. I'll watch it again in the future, sometimes I need to see a film twice to fully appreciate it.

[@mortalclown3812]

Curtis's finest role, imo. Too bad the edgy army of great 50s writers was curbed by political oppression. Rage comes before triage: here's to the mirrors in art. Let's be unafraid to gaze therein.

[@billyleroy2465]

Just goes to show this film was a flop when it was released. "Where do you come off, making a remark like that?"

[@user-nq4ry2be1s]

Caster other great movie VERACRUZ

[@WakeRunSleep]

Democrats received