Sweet Smell of Success

1957 · directed by Alexander Mackendrick

Rating

86/100

Hit

yes

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.

Sweet Smell of Success (1957), directed by Alexander Mackendrick, rates 86/100 — a hit. See how its director, cast and crew rate across their careers.

Cast

• Burt Lancaster
• Tony Curtis

More from Alexander Mackendrick

1. The Ladykillers (1955) — 83/100 · hit
2. The Man in the White Suit (1951) — 82/100 · hit
3. Whisky Galore! (1949) — 80/100 · hit

How these numbers work: Methodology