Movie Review: Sweet Smell of Success

This movie suffers from an unreal premise: some big shot gossip columnist is so protective of his younger sister that he will do anything to prevent her from dating a seemingly honest and straight up jazz musician. Tony Curtis plays the sycophant yes man to Burt Lancaster's portrayal of Walter Winchell. Curtis and Lancaster play mind games with each other as they traverse the slimy underbelly of New York showbiz nightlife to ensnare the would be boyfriend so that he is damaged goods. Alas, it does not work and they are both exposed for the frauds that they are. The acting is first class as it should be with Curtis and Lancaster. But the plot is so far fetched that it takes everything else down with it. Maybe it was different back then but the spectre of a newspaper columnist having the power to make and break people as he dines nightly at a fancy nightclub while politicians fawn over him is laughable. If you watch this film, do so for the acting; at least you will not be disappointed.