Whenever I'm stuck in a screenplay or even just having a terrible day, I like to put on a Billy Wilder movie. The guy just knew how to captivate an audience and how to tell a story. But what are Billy Wilder's best movies? I had to really wrestle with myself and my emotions to create this list. It was hard and I'm still not sure I got it right. Let's dive in. 1. Sunset BoulevardI mean, as No Film School's resident screenwriter, how could I not put this movie first? It's Wilder's opus on Hollywood. William Holden plays a struggling screenwriter who stumbles into the decaying mansion of Norma Desmond, a forgotten silent film star. The film's incisive critique of the film industry and its performances make it a cornerstone of American cinema. The delivery of Gloria Swanson's iconic "I'm ready for my closeup" encapsulates the haunting brilliance of this dark and twisted tale.The ApartmentMan, this movie is perfect and probably should be at the top of the list. I legit have no reason it's not as good as the other. It's a hilarious Best Picture winner where Jack Lemmon stars as C.C. Baxter, a lonely insurance clerk who lends his apartment to his bosses for their extramarital affairs, hoping for a promotion. His world gets turned upside down when he falls for the elevator operator, Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), who is also his boss's mistress. It's the perfect blend of comedy and drama. It's riveting to watch. This...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday