Recently re-watched this 1957 film with Burt Lancaster as a ruthless New York journalist and Tony Curtis as an unscrupulously ambitious press agent. I thought it illustrated to a certain degree the differences between a narcissistic personality and a true psychopath. Press agent Sidney Falco tells outright lies, is manipulative,uses people
and will do or say just about anything to further his career.He has the occasional pangs of guilt (once induced by his secretary) but rapidly brushes these feelings aside in his haste to get his agenda completed. Egocentric columnist J J Hunsecker (Lancaster)uses Falco to try and sabotage a relationship he disapproves of, between his sister and an up and coming jazz musican. With his newspaper columns and TV shows he possess the powerful influence to make or brake presidents(seemingly by dirty means). When he is confronted by his sisters boyfriend who tells him to his face some home truths Hunsecker then wants the jazz player utterly ruined. He manages to stop the relationship but that it is not enough. In addition he shows no true compassion or understanding for the torment he has put his easily dominated sister through. Even Falco becomes shocked by his behaviour.
There are several subplots showing how peolpe use and manipulate each other to achieve their ends. The dialogue crackles along at a fast pace and the film is worth watching more than once to fully understand all the interactions. (parts may seem a bit corny or melodramatic to some -but overall that's a small fault).
Anyone familiar with this movie?
and will do or say just about anything to further his career.He has the occasional pangs of guilt (once induced by his secretary) but rapidly brushes these feelings aside in his haste to get his agenda completed. Egocentric columnist J J Hunsecker (Lancaster)uses Falco to try and sabotage a relationship he disapproves of, between his sister and an up and coming jazz musican. With his newspaper columns and TV shows he possess the powerful influence to make or brake presidents(seemingly by dirty means). When he is confronted by his sisters boyfriend who tells him to his face some home truths Hunsecker then wants the jazz player utterly ruined. He manages to stop the relationship but that it is not enough. In addition he shows no true compassion or understanding for the torment he has put his easily dominated sister through. Even Falco becomes shocked by his behaviour.
There are several subplots showing how peolpe use and manipulate each other to achieve their ends. The dialogue crackles along at a fast pace and the film is worth watching more than once to fully understand all the interactions. (parts may seem a bit corny or melodramatic to some -but overall that's a small fault).
Anyone familiar with this movie?