Sweet Smell of Success (1957) (Criterion Collection, 2 DVDs)

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MATCH ME, SIDNEY

One of the darkest films ever to come out of the Hollywood mainstream both literally and figuratively this spellbindingly cynical study of Machiavellian media machinations in a neon-drenched New York City was the first and best American film by Alexander Mackendrick, who already had several Ealing Studios classics on his CV (Whisky Galore, The Man in the White Suit, Mandy, The Ladykillers) when he crossed the Atlantic.

Considering his star status, Burt Lancaster was famously fearless when it came to risking audience sympathies, and he gives one of his most memorable performances as ruthless gossip columnist J.J. Hunsecker, who ll go to any lengths to break up his sister s unsuitable romance, even if it means destroying the reputation of press agent Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis).