All About Eve

Review Date: May 19, 2003
NR
Genre: Classic
1950

Common Sense Media says

Classic movie about an ambitious woman.

Age

Quality

Positive messages0
Not applicable.
Violence0
Not applicable.
Sex0
Not applicable.

Language0
Not applicable.
Consumerism0
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
Social drinking (sometimes to excess), some "I need a drink" responses to stress.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this classic showbiz drama has some powerful messages about ambition and betrayal. Eve manipulates others to get what she wants and succeed, and other characters initially believe her. There's also some social drinking representative of movies of the era.

What's the story?

Margo Channing (Bette Davis), a Broadway diva beginning to show her age, meets the young fan who stands outside the theater after every performance (Anne Baxter as Eve Harrington). Taken by her devotion, humility, and hard luck story, Margo gives Eve a job as a gofer/secretary. At first, she is delighted, but later comes to realize that Eve is ruthless and will stop at nothing to steal Margo's career -- not to mention her fiancé (Gary Merrill as director Bill Simpson). Eve manipulates Margo's friends and colleagues, becomes her understudy, and finally, after scheming to keep her away from the theater, goes on in her place, after arranging for critics to be at her performance. She takes the starring role in a new production that would have been Margo's, and wins an award for it. But by then, Margo and her friends are back together, Eve is tied to a critic who is as ambitiously manipulative as she is, and as the movie ends, she too meets a devoted young fan who could be another Eve.

Is it any good?

ALL ABOUT EVE, with one of the most literate scripts ever written (by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who also directed) is not just the finest backstage drama ever filmed, but also a compelling parable of ambition and loyalty. Bette Davis is brilliant as Margo, bringing both the ferocity and the vulnerability of Margo to life. No one can forget her at the beginning of her party: "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night." She is the first to notice that Eve is not what she seems, but her friends assume it is just petty jealousy, and it only makes them want to protect Eve. Ultimately, the loyalty of all four friends keeps them together. And ultimately, Eve is reigned in by someone who is her equal, acidic columnist Addison De Witt (a silky George Saunders).

All About Eve won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (George Sanders), Best Screenplay, Best Direction, and Best Costume Design. Joseph L. Mankiewicz and his brother Herman (co-author of "Citizen Kane") were responsible for many of the finest scripts ever produced. And that is Marilyn Monroe in one of her earliest appearances, as Miss Caswell.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about what actions are appropriate to realize ambition. Compare it to movies like Rudy, also about the achievement of a dream. It's not the dream that differs here as much as how it's achieved. It might be fun for kids to talk about the theater and how it differs from movies. Take them to a local production, or get a book of plays for children from the library and help them produce one.

More details

Studio:	Twentieth Century Fox
Director:	Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Cast:	Anne Baxter, Bette Davis, George Sanders
Genre:	Classic
Run time:	138 minutes
Theatrical release date:	October 13, 1950
DVD release date:	January 14, 2003
MPAA rating:	NR

This review of All About Eve was written by Nell Minow

Age

Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:

33% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

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Most useful reviews by all members

MovieLover4Lyfe

Adult

October 26, 2010

OK for kids & up

This movie deserved every award it was given. Stunning performances, especially from Bette Davis. The story is fabulous and keeps audiences entertained from beginning to end!

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Tsion

Parent of 13 year old

June 23, 2009

OK for kids & up

Funny and Witty Drama...

ALL ABOUT EVE is a wonderful film. It is well-written, witty, funny, and marvelously acted. And, it's perfect for kids who like great movies, since there's very little objectionable content. No sex, language, or violence, just a lot of smoking.

What other families should know

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BestPicture1996

Teen, 13 years old

September 3, 2009

OK for kids & up

Don't think they could remake this movie if they tried

Or if they did try it would be a critical flop and a box-office bomb. You have to put 2 and 2 together alot, always keep your ears perked, and admire the superb acting and brilliant screenplay, and to think this was about 60 years back and it's still accurate: everybody wants the attention directed towards themselves. Also note: they made an amazing movie without nudity, explicit lanugage or graphic violence.

What other families should know

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moviebuff8

Teen, 16 years old

April 9, 2008

OK for kids & up

Intriguing Plot

All About Eve is an interesting movie about an aging star,Margo, whose life is idolized by a young admirer. The admirer soon becomes her assistant, seemingly innocent and naive. However, little does she know that her new assistant has alterior motives, namely the desire to become Margo, spinning a tale of cunning ambition. Bette Davis gives a legendary performance as the frustrated Margo Channing, one of her finest. I recommend this film for classic movie lovers, like myself, however, some kids may find it a little dull. Four stars out of five.

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See all user reviews

The Jazz Singer

(NR, 1927)

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Sunset Boulevard

(NR, 1950)

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All About Eve

Common Sense Media says

What parents need to know

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Explore, discuss, enjoy

Most useful reviews by all members

Funny and Witty Drama...

Don't think they could remake this movie if they tried

Intriguing Plot

The Jazz Singer

Sunset Boulevard

The Women (1939)