Saturday, February 4, 2012

All About Eve (1950)

Author Gareth Russell discusses one of the wittiest films of all time.
The story of All About Eve begins with what we'd probably call a stalker today. A young, obsessive fan of Margo's, called Eve Harrington (played by Anne Baxter), has been to the theatre every night for the last few weeks to watch Margo in her latest theatrical triumph as a feisty Southern belle. One of Margo's Society friends, Karen, has noticed this poor, bedraggled fan and brings her backstage to meet her idol. Eve tells a heartrending story about having lost her husband in the recent Second World War and how it is only the joy of theatre which allows her to escape her depression. Moved by her story and impressed by her apparent loyalty, Margo hires Eve to be her personal assistant. As the movie unfolds however, Margo begins to suspect that Eve may in fact be out to sabotage her. Eve's new friendship with Addison DeWitt and her cosy conversations with Margo's boyfriend and playwright-friends rile Margo's paranoia and insecurities. What follows is a wonderfully believable depiction of jealousy, cruelty, manipulation and, in one hilarious yet heartbreaking scene, drunkenness. (Read entire post.)
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1 comment:

Alice Seidel said...

This movie is one of the very best! And it takes more than one viewing (10 or 20 maybe), to understand everything going on here! It is superbly acted by all, and I absolutely loved Celeste Holm. The next time you watch it be sure to catch her beautiful pearl necklace wrapped resplendently around her neck (indicative of all the twists and tangles going on there?)
Bette Davis of course is without rival. Always one of my favorite actresses along with Kate Hepburn and Ingrid Bergmann.
They just don't make movies like this anymore!