"All About Eve" is a 1950 film written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz ("Guys and Dolls", "Cleopatra") and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. The piece stars Bette Davis ("Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?", "Hush Hush...Sweet Charlotte") as Margo Channing, an aging actress of the theater taking on a young protege, Anne Baxter ("The Razor's Edge") as Eve Harrington. The film nominated for 14 Academy Awards, winning 6, including Best Picture in 1951.
Acting: Bette Davis and Anne Baxter were phenomenal actresses and both gave thrilling performances in their roles. Supporting actors George Sanders ("The Picture of Dorian Gray") as Addison Dewitt and Gary Merrill ("A Blueprint for Murder") were two of my favorite male actors in the film. The talent in this film was one that, I have to say, is rare nowadays. Wonderful. Fun Fact: Marilyn Monroe made one of her debut performances as Miss Cazwell, and she looked phenomenal.
Editing/Cinematography: The editing and choice of cinematography, I think has set a motion for films to follow. One of the things I noticed was how they played to the camera as much as possible. As any theater-goer knows, playing your body to the audience is key, to show the actors' emotions and to give a sense of interaction with the audience. The use of this technique, while keeping in the theme of the idea of theater performers was a very good choice. The lighting, also, I felt was very well done, it always seemed as though the actors had a fine silhouette around them, which helped draw attention to their body language, as well as their emoting.
Music: The film's compositions were done by Alfred Newman, which I have to say was very well done. The music choices were very well to carry the emotions, espcially in tender moments, such as when Margo (Davis) and Karen (Celeste Holm) sit in the car during Margo's release of emotions. As Ms. Channing says, "I detest cheap sentiment." There is nothing but the finest in this piece.
Production: The film had a marvelous production. The clothing was breath-taking and truly was tailored to their characters. The sets and pieces used were of a wide variety, and had good use of space. Again, following in the theme of the theater, everything seemed to played to the camera and was all put to where the audience was truly immersed.
Writing: This was one of my favorite parts of the entire film. Mankiewicz was able to create a script that could make you chuckle as well as shed a tear. The interactions between characters, one of my most near and dear qualities of films, was impeccable. Clever, witty dialogue paired with deep, penetrating stories gave the film amazing life, and kept me hooked throughout the entire piece. And who can forget that amazing line from Ms. Bette Davis's character, "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride."
Final Grade: This film, again, is one of my favorites. Pairing well-bred actors with fantastic dialogue and wonderful story creates a fantastic piece. Every time I experience this film, it takes me to a time when life was beautiful and classic and people were all of a different breed.
GRADE= A+
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