Enjoyed but familiar

I really enjoyed this film but I'm sure something similar must've been done before, probably in the 40s or 50s in black and white, but I'm not film buff enough to know. Probably pinched from various films now I think about it (I did get Sunset Boulevard from the way the film is narrated). But at least it does give a knowing nod in the dialogue early on when Frank (I think) says something about Jonas's experiences having the right ingredients for a film noir.