All About Eve

An aging actress (Bette Davis) grows increasingly wary of the young woman (Anne Baxter) who seems to adore her.

All About Eve is a near-perfect story of fame, and the ambition it takes to achieve it. It’s also the most nominated film in Academy Awards history, with 14 nominations, including writer-director Joseph Mankiewicz and most of the cast.

Bette Davis gives a fearless performance as an aging actress refusing to acknowledge the bitter truth that her best days are behind her. Though it mirrored Davis’ career at the time, the role isn’t a flattering one, but Davis gives it her all, fleshing out Margo Channing into a talented, but nonetheless flawed, human being that you come to care about despite her rants and tantrums. No small feat.

Second only to Davis, though, is George Sanders, whose Oscar-winning performance as an insidious theater critic almost steals the film. His charming façade disguises a cold, ruthless man who sees himself as a step above everyone around him. While the role is perhaps a manifestation of Mankiewicz’s disdain for critics, in Sanders’ hands it comes through as an altogether believable and three-dimensional character.

Anne Baxter is also impressive in the titular role of Eve Harrington. It’s essentially a dual role, either of which could be overplayed, but Baxter pulls it off well.

Finally, there’s the always-underrated Celeste Holm, whose considerable natural charm is a perfect fit for the role that anchors the film in a recognizable humanity.

With such a stellar cast, and a sharp, witty script, it’s hard to find fault with All About Eve, though the length, almost two and a half hours, does cause the film to drag a bit here and there, though this will likely be less noticeable on repeat viewings, when the plot becomes secondary to the performances and dialogue.