Hey guys! So I've just watched 'All about Eve' with my wife. When we were discussing it afterwards, a thought came across my mind - we all agree that the movie tells a story of a woman who was so corrupted by the need of fame and glory that she was willing to do anything to achieve that and nothing could stop her. She ceased to have any moral boundries. And there are many others like her, obssesed with the idea of becoming a star. But what we usually don't talk about is that the movie in a way proves... that she had no other choice than doing what she did. The industry people we get to know are: a playwright who writes plays for his wife's best friend Margo to perform in, that are directed by her boyfriend and produced by a friend of them all. It's a one big coterie that don't let anyone from outside in. Well, maybe if a prominent critiic Addison deWitt brings someone to a party that he wants to bang, they'll generously let her audition for a role she's never going to get, but apart from that...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not supporting Eve's character. I think what she did was disgraceful. But it's funny to me how we all concetrate on her wrongdoing and don't see how corrupted the theatre society portrayed in the movie already is. And it hasn't changed that much till this day if you think of it....
What do you guys think?
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What the character wants and what the character needs are often two different things. Generally 'wants' come from within the character - pretty easy to write. What a character needs is generally theme related & more difficult to write. It's a whole lot more complicated than this simplistic comment makes it sound but that's what sets a good writer apart from the crowd.
Am I missing something? Has there been a new adaption of All About Eve cos I remember it as a Noir made in 50’s when I saw it repeated much later on at film club. Was about a woman who wants another woman’s life and by foul means rather than fair attempts her goal. I felt it as a cunning manipulation rather than downright evil, victims were fool enough to believe the antagonist and surely worse goes on in the industry every day? Changelings, shape shifters, con artists, rivals etc. I’ve even been warned by attendees of film trade fairs at certain parties don’t drink cos last year they conked out after a few glasses and never made a crucial meeting.
Doug Nelson how come are we talking about need vs want here? These are basics that I am well aware of, trust me. But that has nothing to do with what I wrote. I simply wanted to show that when discussing 'All about Eve' we usually stigmatize her actions but forget that people she hurt had it coming in a way. They were 'sinners' themselves, so to speak. And what Mankiewicz wanted to say might have been: 'this is as dirty enterprise as politics, theater. You'll get mud on your shoes sooner or later when you step inside'. I just wanted to talk about that to you guys. Discuss what other people think about the film's message...
Yes, we're talking about the movie from 1950, @Debbie Croysdale. But Eve didn't want Margo's life. She wanted Magro's career. That's a little bit different. She manipulated other people not to become this other woman but to become a star actress. Much bigger than Margo Channing whom she cynicly used to achieve her goal.
But what you wrote about victims being fool enough to trust her and let her manipulate them is exactly what I meant. So you're not missing anything, I guess ;-)
Sorry 'bout that Piotr, evidently you know it all.