Film noir, by translation alone, means dark film, and by that measure, Sunset Boulevard certainly fits the genre. A dark story that follows a jaded and sarcastic protagonist, Joe Gillis, from his early dire circumstances to his untimely death, Sunset Blvd. deserves the description “dark” several times. But there's more to film noir than extremely depressing plots. There are common motifs and icons found in most film noir, such as crime, dark alleys, guns, and alcohol. Deeper than that, film noir features certain visual elements, character archetypes, and themes that create a unique style of film. Although some have argued that Sunset Blvd. fails to portray some of these elements, it has become known as one of the most iconic film noirs ever made. Sunset Boulevard (1950), written and directed by Billy Wilder, exemplifies the film noir style through its use of visual elements (lighting, shots and angles), memorable characters, themes and the overall structure of the film. Above all, film noir refers to the visual style of a picture. Film noir imagery was influenced by early 20th century German Expressionism, with distorted and sinister shapes and shadows. These precursors of film noir used abstract figures and menacing shadows to achieve bizarre and moving results. Techniques such as chiaroscuro were used to give a dark, minimalist feel. In many cases, lighting is limited to a single bright light source, which obscures the image and even casts shadows on the actors' faces. These elements ensure that the audience gives equal importance to the actors and the setting. Oblique shots permeate many film noirs, naturally provoking anxiety and apprehension in the viewer. In the sun...... middle of paper ......ol, and he ended up floating face down in a. Norma's fame ultimately proved to be the cause of her madness. The noir style is featured in Sunset Boulevard with its use of visually dark and uncomfortable sets and cameras, as well as its use of traditional film noir characters. Additionally, the overall tone and themes expressed here closely match what many film noirs address. What made this film unique was its harsh criticism of the film industry itself, which some of Wilder's peers saw as biting the hand that fed him. Comments are common about the superficial state of Hollywood and its indifference to suffering, a subject still avoided by many in the cinema today. However, Sunset Boulevard. sets a precedent for future noir films and serves as an inspiration to those who don't really believe what Hollywood shows them..