Western film and literature love the orphan. Peter Pan. Harry Potter. Anne of Green Gables. Oliver Twist. Jane Eyre. Luke Skywalker. Simba. Superman.

Sunset Boulevard was one of the first classic films to truly capture my attention—thanks to my mother! I rewatched it a few weeks ago, hoping to catch something fresh, and I wasn’t disappointed. Two images stood out, one from Dickens and the other from Scripture, and they’ve both helped me better understand this excellent film.