Sweet Smell of Success (re-release)
User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 5 out of 23

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  1. ryancarroll88
    Aug 27, 2010
    10
    This biting tale of power and corruption plays out as smoothly as its tantalizing Jazz soundtrack. Burt Lancaster is impressively evil as the newspaper columnist trying to keep a hold on his sister's life.
  2. nascent
    Mar 12, 2012
    7
    Initially a slow and awkwardly developed plot, but after 25 minutes or so (around the time of Lancaster's introduction) the tightly written and bold intentions of the movie begin to shine through. With killer performances by the whole cast, and a strong premise for such an early film, the pacing quickens, and the atmosphere builds.
  3. Serrao_Brochado
    Aug 23, 2012
    5
    a very peculiar film in that, at a certain point, you don't know who is good and who is bad guy. Tony Curtis is brilliant in one of the most important roles of his career. Moreover, the story isn't captivating and superficially depicts a far darker reality than mere exchange of favors and young guitarists. A good theme barely tapped.
  4. mrhulot_
    Mar 7, 2011
    10
    one of the greatest films ever made,in my opinion.Everything about it is great,the jazzy score by Elmer Bernstein,cinematogrophy by James Wong Howe,the terrific performances,and the unbelivable screenplay which has some of the best dialogue ever written.A must-see.
  5. DanC.
    May 5, 2004
    10
    JJ Hunsecker is one of the greatest on screen villains ever! Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster deserved Oscar noms (the academy foolishly ignored them).
  6. JohnB.
    Apr 7, 2005
    10
    A script that crackles. Burt and Tony at the top of their game. Tension, menace and pitch-black humour. And Susan Harrison. What's not to like?
  7. KevinE.
    Mar 15, 2005
    10
    A terrificly smart film, superbly written, exquisitely acted, just about perfect in every way. I rented it because it is referred to in a book I'm reading as a major, defining cultural icon of 1957, capturing the dawn of a new, darker and larger ego, and meanness of that day; and the promotion of celebrity for it's own sake - a forerunner of all that is exasperating about current pop culture. So it's got all that going on in addition to being a good story well told.… Collapse
  8. Duiker
    Feb 17, 2012
    10
    This movie left me speechless. Far ahead of its time, even today. There is no flaw, no pathetic moment, no screwed dialogue. It is perfect in a Kubrickian way but still is very different.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
100 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 5 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kim Morgan
    100
    Can a film so expertly capture the odious and bitter that it becomes deliciously, disgustingly beautiful? Yes, if that film is 1957's Sweet Smell of Success.
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  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    100
    Its pleasures are almost obscenely abundant.
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  3. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    Everyone raves about this 1957 film -- and everyone's right.
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