The film is about a young
actress, Eve, who befriends an established but aging star of the stage (Margo)
and her theatre friends. Manipulating those around her, Eve inserts herself in
Margo’s place as the lead in the next big production.
Four time Oscar winner (including
two for this film), writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz does a
fantastic job with his characters. At first Eve appears innocent and Margo the
villain, but as the film progresses the tables are turned is an utterly
compelling fashion. While All About Eve is Mankiewicz’s greatest film, his work
on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, A Letter to Three Wives, 5 Fingers, and Sleuth is top-notch as well.
Mankiewicz worked with composer Alfred Newman, cinematographer Milton Krasner, art directors George W. Davis and Lyle Wheeler, and legendary
costume designer Edith Head
(who also won an Oscar for this) on the film.
The cast is also fantastic. Bette Davis and Anne Baxter are both brilliant
in the leads, while George
Sanders (who won an Oscar), Celeste
Holm, Gary Merrill, Hugh Marlowe, Gregory Ratoff, and Marilyn Monroe are all great in
support.
All in all, All About Eve won six
Oscars, including Best Picture. It is one of the best character dramas in film
history and a must-see for fans of classic films and wonderful leading performances.
No comments:
Post a Comment