Synopsis
New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan, who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas. Hunsecker strongly disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.
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Cast
- Tony CurtisSidney Falco
- Burt LancasterJ.J. Hunsecker
- Susan HarrisonSusan Hunsecker
- Martin MilnerSteve Dallas
- Jeff DonnellSally
- Sam LeveneFrank D' Angelo
- Joe FriscoHerbie Temple
- Barbara NicholsRita
- Emile MeyerLt. Harry Kello
- Edith AtwaterMary
Recommendations
- 100
Portland Oregonian
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. - 100
The New York Times
Its pleasures are almost obscenely abundant. - 100
Christian Science Monitor
Everyone raves about this 1957 film -- and everyone's right. - 100
TV Guide Magazine
Captures the sleazy allure of Manhattan like no other film. - 80
Variety
It's a no-holds-barred account of the sadistic fourth estater played cunningly by Burt Lancaster.
