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Sweet Smell of Success

Play trailer Poster for Sweet Smell of Success 1957 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
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 disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.
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Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success

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Critics Consensus

Sweet Smell of Success boasts a top-notch cast, sharp direction, atmospheric cinematography, and an appropriately jazzy score, making it one of the best noir crime thrillers ever made.

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Critics Reviews

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SMH Staff Sydney Morning Herald Nov 17, 2021
Despite some shrill overstatements that remind one that Clifford Odets had a hand in the screenplay, the film is a highly successful product of what might be called the "New York School" of filmmaking. Go to Full Review Brandon Judell IndieWire Jun 15, 2021
That Clifford Odets co-wrote the screenplay explains the film's continued ability to fascinate, but not why it was made into a current musical. Go to Full Review Mae Tinée Chicago Tribune Aug 10, 2020
It's a tough tale about utterly amoral people. I thought the ending rather weak bet for most of the footage the film packs plenty of punch. Go to Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee Nov 24, 2025
Lancaster’s crisp elocution was never put to more satisfyingly sinister ends. Go to Full Review Tony Sloman Radio Times Sep 6, 2024
5/5
...t remains a milestone tribute to its canny British director Alexander Mackendrick. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Aug 10, 2024
3.5/4
Even a three-course meal consisting of lobster bisque, a medium-rare steak, and creme brulee doesn’t come close to matching the exquisite, juicy taste of the dialogue slung around in this riveting drama written by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bruce S @westham1969 Aug 30, 2026 Excellent film. Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis play characters that are smart, charming and easy to despise. Great music, and brilliant film all around. See more Martin B @RT44235356 Apr 13, 2026 I know it's classic loaded with great actors doing very well delivering great performances but my Lord it's just so dark. Dirty city, dirty people doing dirty things and the innocent being cruelly manipulated. See more Farah R. @Farah Feb 25, 2026 With stars like Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis, I expected this noir to be better. Sweet Smell of Success is sadly boring and uninteresting. See more Eghtesadi h @RT97766894 Nov 17, 2025 مرجع معتبر اخبار اقتصادی با تمرکز بر ارائه اطلاعات به‌روز از منابع رسمی کشور. https://eghtesadiha.com See more Terry L C @RT89337982 Aug 9, 2025 We only watched the first hour of the film, before we quit. Nobody loved anybody except Susan Hunsacker and Steve Dallas. Everbody was using everbody else for some gain in a newspaper column. See more Mason M @RT73597940 Jul 29, 2025 Sweet Smell of Success was a thrilling and entertaining noir that I really enjoyed quite the bit. Both Lancaster and Curtis were incredible in their parts and brought a level of threat to their characters. The film's photography of New York was a real joy to look at. The writing made a very entertaining and twisty plot along with very clever dialogue which was wonderful for my ears to hear. I do love a good noir film, and Sweet Smell of Success didn't disappoint. See more Read all reviews
Sweet Smell of Success

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Cast & Crew

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Alexander Mackendrick

Director

Burt Lancaster

J.J. Hunsecker

Tony Curtis

Sidney Falco

Martin Milner

Steve Dallas

Barbara Nichols

Rita

Susan Harrison

Susan Hunsecker

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Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Sweet Smell of Success (1957) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis 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 disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.
Director
Alexander Mackendrick
Producer
James Hill
Screenwriter
Ernest Lehman, Clifford Odets
Distributor
United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Norma Productions, Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 27, 1957, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 29, 2017
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Mono
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