All About Eve

Rating: 5/5

Nobody throws shade like Bette Davis. No one.

I had been meaning to see All About Eve for years, but somehow, other movies took precedence, but I am beyond ecstatic that this Oscar Best Picture watch through forced me to finally get around to seeing this masterpiece.

All About Eve doesn't possess a particularly dramatic or intense plot. Instead, it has phenomenal performances, impeccably written dialogue, and a highly engaging story. Bette Davis stars as Margo Channing, a renowned stage actress, but one who's beginning to worry that her age will soon make her star begin to fade. She meets Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter), a seemingly innocent and devoted fan. Margo decides to take Eve under her wing, but is quick to realize that her act of good will may have been a huge mistake.

On screen and off, it was clear that Bette Davis was not someone to be trifled with. She stood her ground and didn't ever appear to be afraid to say what was on her mind. That bold and brilliant quality absolutely shines in All About Eve. Once Margo begins to see her career fade before her eyes, her determination to keep her fame comes out in venomous insults and masterful manipulation. What makes Davis' performance so memorably stunning, is not just her ability to take down her on screen opponents through her wit and words, but how she allows Margo's vulnerabilities be shown as well. Only a select few get to see her insecurities, but those moments are equally as captivating as any of Davis' other, more energetic scenes.

All About Eve tackles a topic that Hollywood seemingly tried to ignore. That of a woman's star power diminishing as they grow older in age. It was quite daring for Davis to do this role, as it forced the filmmakers and audience to zero in on the fact that Bette Davis, not unlike her character, was reaching an age where she was in danger of being cast out of the movies and replaced by the new wave of younger actresses. In a way, it seems as if Davis was proving a point to the studios of the time. Showing that, just because someone is younger, doesn't necessarily mean they're always the better choice for a role. Davis is at the top of her game in All About Eve, and as brilliant as Anne Baxter was, and don't get me wrong, she was fantastic in this, it was Davis who effortlessly carried the weight of the film on her shoulders. So much so, that prior to seeing this, I had assumed Bette Davis' character's name was Eve, because the only scenes I'd ever seen from the movie were of Davis, so I figured her name must be the one in the title.

If you haven't seen this gem, watch it. It's wonderful. I can't recommend it enough.

1951 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Winner - George Sanders

1951 Best Director Winner - Joseph L. Mankiewicz

1951 Best Writing, Screenplay Winner - Joseph L. Mankiewicz

1951 Best Costume Design, Black and White Winner - Edith Head & Charles Le Maire

1951 Best Sound, Recording Winner - Thomas T. Moulton

1951 Best Picture Winner - All About Eve