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Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success

Drama · 1957

New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan, who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas. Hunsecker strongly disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.

Movie details

Sweet Smell of Success

“Beware these “Gentlemen” of the press!”

1957 Drama 1h 37m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.6 / 10

Community rating

New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan, who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas. Hunsecker strongly disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Sweet Smell of Success?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Alexander Mackendrick

Written by

Clifford Odets · Ernest Lehman

Burt Lancaster

Burt Lancaster

J.J. Hunsecker

Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis

Sidney Falco

Susan Harrison

Susan Harrison

Susan Hunsecker

Martin Milner

Martin Milner

Steve Dallas

Jeff Donnell

Jeff Donnell

Sally

Sam Levene

Sam Levene

Frank D' Angelo

Joe Frisco

Joe Frisco

Herbie Temple

Court is in session

Put Sweet Smell of Success on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.