Supplemental Post 1

It was my first time watching “All about Eve” and I left the room feeling pleasantly surprised by the movie’s avant-garde approach on female's image and psychology of that time. 

The viewer is manipulated into developing a dislike for the character of Margo through her loudness, looseness, and arrogance; all characteristics that did not constitute the perfect and angelic image of a woman of the 1950s. Because of this, the audience will inevitably start questioning her behavior considered inappropriate, thus, taking for granted that something must be off in a woman who has the audacity to exist as free as her.

On the other hand, Eve represents the immaculate image of what a woman should be, beautiful, composed, innocent, apologetic, and submissive. She portrays the victim for the most part of the film until the twist comes and she’s unmasked for who she really is. However, even then, when everyone knows about her true identity and what she’s capable of, no one really does anything to stop her. This is because she still represents a symbol for women and a dream for men of that time. Whereas, Margo, the real victim of the story, is quickly marginalized due to her representation of an aging, washed up star. This showcases the society’s superficial mechanisms feeding the objectification of women.

Dyers in Stars explains the concept of “persona,” an image that pop singers, for example, need to create when presenting themselves to the public. It’s something that goes beyond their music or whatever talent they have to offer. It’s a tool to sell, and in order to do so, they need to please the audience in a way that fulfills their expectation by giving them what they want. This, to a certain extent, can be associated with the pressure of what it means to be a woman in “All about Eve.” Eve knows that the only way to get what she wants is to play by the rules and then attack from there. She needs to fit this idealistic female persona in order for her to sell herself and get what she wants. At the same time, Margo is the perfect example of a woman’s struggle to accept that notion slipping through her fingers.

- Vittoria Rizzardi Penalosa