MovieChat Forums > Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Discussion > Nary a screenplay better than this one

Nary a screenplay better than this one

posted 17 years ago by SeanJoyce
22 replies | jump to latest

This astonishingly-underlooked gem from the 50's features what is perhaps the greatest screenplay ever written. I've never heard such smart, cackling diaglogue delivered with the level of perfection attained here.

The list of films boasting screenplays that can be favorably compared to this one is brief indeed. The fact that this flawless bite of corporate America was totally ignored upon release is a crime nearly as heinous as those perpetrated in the film. Thank God its stature as a true great has been recognized, and increased in prominence with the passing of time.

Amazing stuff; let's count our blessings for the unification of so much talent all at one moment in time.

Cheers.

"It's covered ya two-bit redneck peckerwood."~Strother Martin, The Wild Bunch

[–] csu16387 17 years ago

Agree with every word you've just said. Notice my recently changed signature.

"Watch me run a 50-yard dash with my legs cut off!"

[–] shroomn 17 years ago

I just have to say, I completely agree. I have never seen such slick pace of wordplay ever. The directing benefited heavily from this script and if this screenplay were even put into the hands of a modern and competent director today it would be gold (my point: even today). This screenplay reeks cool. I have never seen anything quite so slick and perfect as this. I have not seen anything else by Clifford Odets, even the Big Knife, and I am now very interested in his other work. Seriously though, this screenplay is...flawless. There are moments that can drain, sometimes it is timid (by today's standards) and the ending lacks a any momentum (again, by today's standards) but goddamn, what a fine piece of ass this film is. Seriously.

SeanJoyce, you are probably my hero.

[–] Percivalx 17 years ago

Great screenplay indeed. The dialogue is awesome.

Let's see if you bastards can do 90.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] jg67 16 years ago

LOL

"The brains may be Jersey City, but the clothes are Trainor-Norell."

[–] SeanJoyce 16 years ago

This film is snappier than Sean's entire post history.

Thanks for the line, Rupert

The best moment is when Hunsecker turns into Humphrey Bogart and slaps up Sid, who was our protagonist for most of the film.

Well, I wouldn't call Falco the "protagonist"...they're both despicable scum, hence our lack of sympathy for him.

"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] joes119 16 years ago

I thought the screenplay was over-the-top and overdone. People don't talk like Odets' characters except in screenplays. I loved the film too, but..come on!

[–] SeanJoyce 16 years ago

I thought the screenplay was over-the-top and overdone. People don't talk like Odets' characters except in screenplays. I loved the film too, but..come on!

That hardly matters...since when did realism (especially here) become essential criteria?

"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] joes119 16 years ago

Inarticulate people? They're all over at the "Is Woody Allen a Pervert" thread. Do 'they' know you're 'here'?

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] joanmcgittigan 16 years ago

Well said David! But I don't think Joe is from the *beep* generation, he is older than that, he is younger than that! And he has no life, no convictions of his own, just imagination!

[–] joes119 16 years ago

Sorry, david, the 'point' was that Odets wasted the articulation by putting it into the mouths of characters with a turnip truck lineage. Where'd you learn to read?

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] joes119 16 years ago

No, you don't 'see'. You're so anxious to trot out some turn of phrase you think reveals your innate superiority that you don't read and you don't respond, you simply jerk off.

[–] jg67 16 years ago

No, you don't 'see'. You're so anxious to trot out some turn of phrase you think reveals your innate superiority that you don't read and you don't respond, you simply jerk off.

..I'd go to middle earth and look for Unspoiled Monsters. Then move to the country.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] nihilistic_tyranny 16 years ago

Hahahahah just looking over a few of your posts David Black, and you really have a lot of pent-up anger.
You're throwing around insults like mad.
None of your posts have anything to say, except a whole lot of badmouthing aimed at anyone who thinks differently than you.
You remind me of that couple that Woodie Allen randomly goes up to in Annie Hall.
"Uh, I'm very shallow and empty and I have no ideas and nothing interesting to say."
"And I'm exactly the same way."

*Apathy Is The Cure*

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Shellsburg9 16 years ago

I watched it again last night just because I was in the mood to hear all that great dialogue again. This is definitely a grown-up film for grown-ups.
I have heard that the Coen brothers based the character Barton Fink (somewhat) on Clifford Odets!