All About Eve represents everything that's both good and bad about Old Hollywood. On the plus side, the film is intelligent and mature. At no point do you feel your intelligence is being insulted. The female characters are strong and three-dimensional. And the writing is sharp, without the plot holes, clichéd dialogue, and unmotivated actions so common in more contemporary films.
On the minus side, All About Eve feels too much like a stage play. Not only are scenes sometimes static and too long, single shots are as well. There's a staginess, a restrictiveness that many films of that era — even war movies — had. Whatever its merits as a drama, it isn't very cinematic.
Set in the world of the New York theatre, All About Eve follows its title character (Anne Baxter) as she insinuates herself into the life of Broadway's great actor, Margo Channing (Bette Davis). Upon first meeting Margo, Eve lathers on the compliments. It's a bit thick, but she seems sincere enough. When she gives playwright Lloyd Richards (Hugh Marlowe) the same treatment, suspicion starts to set in. But Eve's facade never falters and Margo soon hires Eve as her personal assistant.
Although the story revolves around Eve and her slow rise to fame, it's Margo who is the most vivid character. She's vibrant and energetic with just enough snarkiness to make her more interesting than those around her. At first, it feels like she deserves whatever she gets, as it’s hard to feel for somebody who's undermined by their own vanity. Although it's difficult to tell if it was Mankiewicz's intention, Margo quickly becomes sympathetic. She slowly realizes that Eve is trying to replace her by mimicking her and manoeuvring around her. So Marco's abrasive outbursts, spurned on by fear, are understandable and even forgivable (especially since by today's standards, they're not all that abrasive). Social niceties (or convenient writing) prevent Margo from confronting Eve head-on or even firing her.
In addition to the static nature of the film, there are at least three other problems with All About Eve:
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
fine job, thanks very much, have to go back and watch this again.
I am confusted by this sentence at the end, though: "Although a very critical look at the theatre -- few of the characters come off looking look"
2 - Bill Lamb
I do agree with the staginess, and yes, the film did have to bow to the era's "bad guys always get punished" rules, but the acting in this film is amazing.
This is one of Bette Davis' best performances and Anne Baxter matches her. Anne Baxter's is one of the great all-time film performances of manipulation and downright meanness by a woman.
Also, for Marilyn Monroe fans, her brief role is a must-see. Her charisma flows off the screen.
All About Eve is of its era, but it is one of the very best films of the 50's deserving of its many accolades.
3 - Rodney Welch
The theater critic at the alt weekly I freelance for keeps his true identity a mystery; his pen name is Addison DeWitt. Most people don't catch on; they call up asking for Addison all the time.
Another great Bette Davis role, though not as well-known, was in "Now, Voyager," a classic tear-jerker everytime it's on TV.
4 - Bruce Kratofil
Well, Thelma Ritter's character may be a stereotype, but I can't think of a role where Thelma played anything but that.