In Sunset Boulevard there are only two kinds of lies: the ones you tell everyone else, and the ones you tell yourself. The question is, which one is more deadly? First, we can see Max deceiving Norma, making her think that she's still a star and writing her fake fan letters. Second, we see Norma deceiving herself, constantly trying to prop up the notion that she's still a big star and not a has-been. The fact that she's no longer loved and desired by the general public eats at Norma until she fully loses contact with reality at the very end of the movie. But before that happens, she constantly tricks herself into believing that a return to the silver screen is not only possible—it's just a matter of time.
Questions about Lies and Deceit
- If Norma stopped deceiving herself—and if Max stopped deceiving her—would she necessarily become suicidal again? Or could there be a way of doing it that might make her comfortable with reality?
- Is Max wrong or right for deceiving Norma? Is he himself deceived about the nature of Norma?
- If Norma were less self-deceiving, could she make a real comeback in the movies? Is her self-deceit one of the things that actually prevents her from realistically assessing her situation and determining what form a comeback would need to take?
Chew on This
Lies only create more lies. And that usually ends in dead bodies. See: Joe.
Max has no choice but to lie to Norma. If he didn't, he might end up like Joe (as in, face down in a pool).