Movie’s message - money & fame can’t buy you fulfillment in life

I think the movie uses Norma to convey a message that money and fame can’t buy you friendships, love, and happiness.

Norma was clearly a huge, successful actress in the past. But in the present, she is a forgotten star who pitifully lives in a huge mansion with nobody except Max. Where are all of her fans from the past? Where are her friends? Family? Children? Besides Max, the people are gone.

The impression is that once her career slowed, then the people left her. She never obtained any legitimate friends who liked her for who she was.

She tries to buy Joe, but even he leaves at the end, giving up all the jewelry and clothes that she purchased. Money can’t buy a lover or friend

One important detail that is that Norma wasn’t a good person, even when she was younger and less crazy. When she visits Paramount, some of the characters talk about how she was difficult to work with. She also went through multiple marriages, further suggesting that she always had a troublesome personality that prevented her from keeping a man.

Basically, the movie says you have to be a good person to make it in life. Money and fame won’t do it.