--- title: "All About Eve: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/all-about-eve/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/all-about-eve" critics_score: 93 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # All About Eve (1950): what the critics said Critics' score 93 from 7 reviews: 7 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The consensus is firmly positive, with praise concentrated on Mankiewicz’s witty screenplay and the performances that give its theatrical rivalries their bite. Most critics single out Bette Davis, finding both authority and sympathy in her portrayal of Margo Channing, while the wider cast earns credit for making the barbed exchanges entertaining. The reviews also value the film’s cynicism about fame and ambition, with several drawing attention to its treatment of womanhood and feminine power. The differences concern relatively small reservations rather than any substantial dissent. Radio Times finds minor weaknesses in the flashback structure and Anne Baxter’s performance, while Eye for Film considers the film stagey and lengthy by modern standards. Collider acknowledges visual shortcomings but finds ample compensation in the dialogue and acting. Across the reviews, these caveats leave the shared enthusiasm for the writing and performances intact. ## Radio Times — Tony Sloman Rating 5/5. Mankiewicz's witty, cynical tale of theatrical rivalries features first-rate performances and especially clever dialogue that today's audiences revel in. Minor flaws in the flashback structure and Anne Baxter's performance are outweighed by its status as a sophisticated classic. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0mbbxf/all-about-eve/) ## Time Out — Ben Walters Rating 5/5. 27 November 2007. The film dissects the narcissism and hypocrisy of the spotlight as sharply as Sunset Blvd, with equal attention to the challenges of enacting womanhood. Anne Baxter's Eve is the wide-eyed hanger-on who insinuates her way into Bette Davis's world. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/all-about-eve) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 30 November 2007. The film is a caustic critique of New York theatre folk that skewers their pomposity with devastating accuracy, but a superlative cast, witty screenplay and top-drawer direction from Mankiewicz make it one of the most entertaining. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/all-about-eve-review/) ## Empire — David Parkinson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 October 2007. Mankiewicz's showbiz bitchfest remains rousing and endlessly amusing thanks to its witty script and strong performances, especially the showdown between Baxter and Davis. The merciless demythologising of fame's trappings is acutely relevant. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/eve-review/) ## The New Yorker — John McCarten 14 October 1950. The critic finds the film a thoroughly entertaining movie thanks to Mankiewicz's ingenious treatment of the familiar story. He singles out Bette Davis's high-voltage, authoritative performance that transforms a difficult character into a sympathetic one. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1950/10/21/bonanza-for-bette) ## The New York Times — Bosley Crowther 14 October 1950. The critic praises this withering, witty and mature satire as the movies letting Broadway have it with claws out. He singles out the gallery of dazzling, horrifying and fascinating characters, especially Bette Davis's central performance as the focal figure. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/14/archives/the-screen-in-review-bette-davis-and-anne-baxter-star-in-all-about.html) ## Variety — Abel Green 13 September 1950. The critic calls it a literate, adult film of the calibre that will do big league, big town business with all the elements for the general runs. He singles out the exceedingly well-cast performances and the purposeful, intelligent intra-trade references and dialogue. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1950/film/reviews/all-about-eve-4-1200416775/) ## Den of Geek — Joseph Ewens Rating 5/5. 28 February 2011. The critic praises the film's script and performances, particularly Bette Davis's nuanced portrayal of Margo Channing and the witty, poignant dialogue, calling it a bona fide classic. They single out the gender politics monologue for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/all-about-eve-blu-ray-review/) ## The Skinny — Laura Smith Rating ★★★★★. 7 November 2007. The review hails it as one of the most enjoyable films ever made, praising Bette Davis's towering, acid-tongued performance as Margo Channing and the pyrotechnic dialogue. It notes the restored print and timing with Davis's centennial. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/all-about-eve-film_review) ## Eye for Film — Anton Bitel Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 November 2007. The critic praises the film's sharp dialogue, precise performances, and cynical portrayal of ambition and feminine power, noting its classic status and Bette Davis's iconic role, while acknowledging it feels stagey and lengthy by modern standards. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/all-about-eve-film-review-by-anton-bitel) ## Collider — Andre Dellamorte 2 March 2011. The critic finds All About Eve a wonderful classic whose witty, quotable dialogue and strong performances more than compensate for any visual shortcomings. They single out the crackling script and the cycle of ambition it depicts for particular praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/anaffair-to-remember-all-about-eve-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/all-about-eve.md