Fedora (1978)

80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(427 ratings)

In Fedora, Billy Wilder approaches Hollywood stardom in the same fashion as he did in Sunset Boulevard--with cynicism, regret, understanding, and awe. Fedora (Marthe Keller) is film's most intriguing movie queen. Rumored to be well into her sixties, the actress has remained a starlet for over four… More In Fedora, Billy Wilder approaches Hollywood stardom in the same fashion as he did in Sunset Boulevard--with cynicism, regret, understanding, and awe. Fedora (Marthe Keller) is film's most intriguing movie queen. Rumored to be well into her sixties, the actress has remained a starlet for over four decades--retaining youth and radiance despite her advancing years. The mystery behind her numinous persona has never ceased to captivate audiences. Even now, as she lives in seclusion on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu, the public buzzes for her to return to the screen. When producer Barry Detweiler (William Holden) travels to Corfu, staking his faltering career on Fedora's return, he discovers the actress's tragic secret. Fedora's eternal loveliness may not be the result of defying her age, but of concealing her youth. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Written By: Billy Wilder, I. A. L. Diamond
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 29, 1978 Wide
On DVD: May 6, 1992

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The deliberate and sometimes dismaying anachronisms are signs of a deep, unshakable commitment to a personal aesthetic -- a commitment that is sometimes more moving than anything in the film itself.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Trust Wilder to know what he's doing, even during the deliberate clichés. See it like that, and I bet you'll like it. See it with a straight face, and you'll think it's boring and obvious.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Fedora is old-fashioned with a vengeance, a proud, passionate remembrance of the way movies used to be, and a bitter smile at what they have become.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Gallant Hollywood-Babylon concerto
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Defiantly and proudly old-fashioned both in style and content, weaving an (intentionally) campy melodrama about the mysterious suicide of a faded movie queen into a spellbinding meditation on cinema and the price of manufactured illusions.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Brilliant homage to a bygone age of glamor.
, Time Out
A shamefully underrated film, Fedora is Wilder's testament and one of the most sublime achievements of the '70s.
, Film4
Probably Wilder's most interesting work, if not necessarily his best.