It’s a film that takes us deep into the outwardly glittering and glamorous but inwardly dark and dangerous world of showbiz through an engrossing story about an aging stage-diva challenged by a young contender willing to go to any lengths to achieve stardom. The film won five Oscars in 1950 and seeing it more than 50 years later, we can’t help but just nod in agreement that the honours were well deserved!

 

By recounting her tragic and touching life-story, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) - a seemingly shy and star-struck fan wins trust of her idol- Margo Channing (Bette Davis), a glamorous but aging superstar theatre actress. The diva employs the poor girl as her secretary and soon, the young lass gets busy worming herself into the superstar’s powerful inner circle of friends that includes Bill- a talented director and Margo’s lover; Lloyd – an acclaimed playwright; Karen- the playwright’s wife and Margo’s best friend and Max – a moneyed, dimwitted producer.

 

Over- ambitious Eve’s mean machinations and her undoubted acting talent slowly lead to a confronting situation where under the garb of being Margo’s understudy, she assumes the mantle of the superstar’s direct challenger. The middle-aged diva’s own shortcomings and her friends’ weaknesses are exploited to the hilt by this cunning young contender, who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Addison Dewitt- an influential critic is yet another important cog in the wheel in Eve’s scheme for stardom but will he succumb to her manipulative charms? How many lives will be wrecked in this young girl’s crazy quest for stardom? 

 

Tight screenplay, taut dialogues and tremendous performances make this film a classic. Even though the film is ‘All about Eve’, the central character here is Margo and Bette Davis is simply marvelous in her portrayal of an aging diva full of personal and professional insecurities and idiosyncrasies. Ann Baxter brilliantly shows Eve’s transformation from a struggling, sincere youngster to a scheming go-getter. It’s a film that hits out at the superficiality and ‘success at any cost’ attitude of the showbiz. Believe me, it has a solid punch!

 

PS: Movie buffs shouldn’t miss Merlyn Monroe in a miniscule role as a young starlet trying to make her impression in showbiz.