This is easily one of the most disturbing movies I've ever watched about the human condition. I've heard about it forever, and I finally understand the hub-bub.
There are disturbing movies about violence (No Country for Old Men, anyone?) and about family (Little Children), and about every other topic we can imagine. This one is about muckraking, rumors, evidence planting, corruption, the press, abuse of power. It's about a press agent, played by Tony Curtis, who has a sycophantic relationship with a newspaper columnist, J.J. Hunsecker, played by an intense Burt Lancaster.
Hunsecker's character is apparently based on Walter Winchell, and I cannot imagine actually working with such a person. In the movie, Tony's character is dependent upon Hunsecker's column for his living, so he ruins relationships, plants drugs on people, spreads lies, all to stay in Hunsecker's good graces. Hunsecker has senators and police in his pocket. It's funny, the Murdoch scandal is in the papers every day right now, so this story should not be shocking. As long as there are newspapers, governments, corporations - you name it - there will be abuse of power.
It's still nauseating to watch, tho. I do recommend this one.
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