The Sweet Smell of J.J. Hunsecker

What is it about success that drives people to depravity? They make it seem like the only way to get it, is to sink to depths so low only the strongest, sickest man could climb out. Sidney Falco is a man willing to do that. J.J. Hunsecker is the man who has been there and found his way to the top. There is a very interesting dynamic between these two men. Sidney is a stray dog; cunning and vicious but without a place to lay his head. Hunsecker is the big dog, graciously allowing Sidney's clients into his much-read column. Sidney claims that he is in it for success, he wants to make it big. His actions show otherwise. When confronted by an important client of his about being a bad press agent, Sidney tells his own client off. All after ranting about how low he is on the totem pole. Sidney shows in the film that he is more cunning than this. He wouldn't just give up a client that easily. Later on in the film, Sidney uses his considerable wit to lure another promising client. But when the client finally decides he wants Sidney as a press agent, Sidney runs off because J.J. called him, telling the client to find another man. This is very self destructive behavior for a man wanting success. Sidney is as pretty as a movie star, but he prefers to play second fiddle. Sidney doesn't want success, he wants J.J. He needs approval from him, he likes playing the pet. Like J.J. needs his sister's love so Sidney needs J.J.'s. Sidney should have seen it coming, he should have known that J.J. cared nothing for him, but he was too tempted by the success of other people to achieve his own.