Sweet Smell of Success

1957, Drama, 1h 36m

54 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

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Sweet Smell of Success Photos

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Movie Info

New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan (Susan Harrison), who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas (Marty Milner). Hunsecker strongly disproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Alexander Mackendrick
  • Producer:
    James Hill
  • Writer:
    Ernest Lehman, Clifford Odets
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., United Artists
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono

Cast & Crew

Burt Lancaster
J.J. Hunsecker
Tony Curtis
Sidney Falco
Martin Milner
Steve Dallas
Barbara Nichols
Rita
Susan Harrison
Susan Hunsecker
Sam Levene
Frank D' Angelo
Jeff Donnell
Sally
Alexander Mackendrick
Director
Ernest Lehman
Screenwriter
Clifford Odets
Screenwriter
James Hill
Producer
Tony Curtis
Executive Producer
Harold Hecht
Executive Producer
Burt Lancaster
Executive Producer
James Wong Howe
Cinematographer
Alan Crosland Jr.
Film Editor
Elmer Bernstein
Original Music
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Critic Reviews for Sweet Smell of Success

All Critics (54) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (53) | Rotten (1)

View All Critic Reviews (54)

Audience Reviews for Sweet Smell of Success

  • Nov 16, 2015
    The acting, the script, the direction, the energy. Stunning!
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • May 20, 2013
    A double-barrelled shotgun in the face of celebrity press and American societal values itself, the film snaps, crackles, and pops with its depiction of a Broadway publicist's crawl to the top and what he does to get there. Curtis and Lancaster make Darth Vader and Hannibal Lector seem like Disney friends.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Mar 25, 2013
    Tony Curtis steals the show as the ever so lovable PR man who just continually digs such a deep hole for himself. You want him to get away with it but know that he is ultimately doomed.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Nov 18, 2012
    While I'm less impressed with the script of "Sweet Smell of Success" than I am with the leading performances of Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster, I do admire the quick-wittedness of the dialogue and the lightning-like pace at which it is uttered by its cynical characters. Tony Curtis' performance is arguably the best of his career and though Lancaster's character is a bit frightening, he feels disappointingly underused. I also liked Elmer Bernstein's jazzy score and James Wong Howe's black-and-white photography.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
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