The Art of Subtext

Examining the Film Dialogue in Sweet Smell of Success

Abstract

This article examines the dialogue in Sweet Smell of Success (1957), with a particular focus on the use of subtext. Although director Alexander Mackendrick admits it as a box-office flop, Sweet Smell is arguably one of the most iconic films of the 1950s. In recent years, this film has come to be highly acclaimed by some critics and considered one of the true classics in Hollywood cinema. The film has many stylistic virtues, but most unique of all is its dialogue. Based on Ernest Lehman’s novella and written for the screen by playwright Clifford Odets, the film’s dialogue deserves critical attention and detailed analysis. In particular, the meaningful use of subtext is noteworthy. The word “subtext” generally means the hidden meaning beneath the surface of human speech. In scriptwriting, subtext is essential for dramatic purposes, but, furthermore, Sweet Smell develops it as a part of its main theme. So this article considers how the film utilizes subtext in the dialogue and reveals its dramatic and thematic dimensions.