Character Analysis Of Sunset Boulevard

In the film Sunset Boulevard many character struggled with wishes, lies and dreams of fame and fortune. The film states the corruption in hollywood and that people will do anything to get ahead. With hope and delusion each character tries to gain happiness, while only being self-destructive and isolating themselves. The characters ultimately deny their problems and confuse those around them. One character in the film who struggles with her wishes, lies and dreams is, Norma Desmond, a washed up actress. After meeting Joe Gillis, a screenwriter, Norma makes it clear that she doesn’t feel that her career is completely over. She is delusional on what her career has dwindled down to. “I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.” Norma makes this comment, making it clear that she is not feeling like a has been. She wishes to be a star again and make a return. But, Norma is only lying to herself about the fact that she is still big; when in reality her time has passed her. She is leading herself to glide along the line of a lost career.
In another way, Joe enters Normas home and sees that she has money and wants to use her delusions to his advantage. He is desperate to get ahead in the industry as well as make money. “I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.” Joe recognizes that Norma is delusional and takes advantage of it. He leads Norma on to get her to give him the project of editing her script and a paycheck. Joe is mentally unsure of whether the project is one that he