In my impression, it seems that someone once used "battlefield" to describe the film industry, to the effect that you may still be a victor alive today, but no one knows whether you will become a corpse trampled on by others tomorrow. In this film, the outdated actress Norma is undoubtedly the best proof of this statement.
She was a superstar in a bygone era of silent films. The appearance is decadent but still reveals the rich and luxurious mansion of the past, the outdated style of the classic car with exquisite workmanship, as well as the living habits and arrogant and elegant demeanor of Norma herself, all prove that she was once brilliant and hot. , it can even be said that she created an era, so she proudly said to the doorman outside the Paramount studio: Without me, there would be no Paramount today.
Therefore, she has reason to be proud.
However, she has no reason to be proud, because the dazzling she has only belongs to the past. When the sound-carrying technology led the arrival of the sound film era, Norma and the silent films she represented were eventually abandoned by the audience and became victims of the giant wheel of change.
But she couldn't and didn't want to recognize the truth, still proudly and stubbornly sticking to the silent film, like those ghosts who didn't want to die, reluctantly lingering around the tombstone that once belonged to her.
It is said that the actress who played Norma was also a red star who was active in the silent film era, so her performance style showed a very strong style of the times, such as exaggerated movements and habitually wide eyes. The way of acting is both Norma's and the actor's own. When this performance method, which has been abandoned by the times, is reproduced in a new sound form, the film begins to exude a ghostly temperament.
In this sad tragedy, in addition to Norma, the saddest thing is the second-rate screenwriter who betrayed his dreams by indulging in the money. If Norma’s misfortune is the fall of a superstar, then screenwriter Joe’s death is probably worthless—perhaps not worthless, his death fulfilled Norma’s last dream, those who feared that the world would not be chaotic The desire for sensationalism in the news media and the insatiable curiosity of the public.
But no one can say that Joe is just a mean parasite. He once tried to make a name for himself in Hollywood with his dreams and enthusiasm, but unfortunately, the number of people who came here to pursue their dreams was huge, and the number of dream-fulfilling opportunities sold by DreamWorks was limited, and Joe unfortunately became many losers who ended up empty-handed. one of the.
Strictly speaking, Norma and Joe are actually people who work for Hollywood. They sell their dreams to Hollywood, and Hollywood uses fame and fortune as a bait—"bait," not "reward," mind you—to squeeze the creativity and talent out of these people until one day the star can no longer attract the influx of The audience is gone, the screenwriter can no longer write ups and downs and exciting scripts, the director can no longer make beautiful and good-looking films, and they will be thrown aside like a broken puppet.
Therefore, no matter how bright and bright Hollywood is rendered by the red carpet and flashing lights, its essence is always a battlefield, behind the gorgeous and dazzling hides the bloody smell of abandonment.
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