The infamy of Sweet Smell of Success rests on the portrayal of its protagonist, the slimy publicist Hunsecker. Played by the talented Burt Lancaster, Hunsecker is one of the most obnoxious characters ever put to screen, embodying the script's biting dialogue with reflective glares and intrusive mannerisms. Every aspect of his character's journey is calculated to manoeuvre his social connections to wreck his sister's relationship through the power of the media, dropping hints and leads to manipulate the public and enrage her fiance. Even after being found out, his callousness knows no bounds and his attitudes towards abusing the journalistic profession continue unabated. It's ultimately a story about success at all costs and the type of person who pursues this - let down by some convoluted twists along the way.
Review of Sweet Smell of Success
