Actors are masters of manipulation; it's how they make their livings. Christian Bale isn't really Batman. Zoe Saldana isn't a blue alien (or a green one). Julianne Moore isn't really the most amazing woman on the planet. (Just kidding, she is.) Where does the acting end and the real person begin? The performers in All About Eve grapple with this question, some of them manipulating others intentionally, and some of them unsure how to stop manipulating themselves.
Questions about Manipulation
- Eve is full of lies. Do you ever believe anything she says? What about Eve is genuine, and what is an act?
- How do Eve and Addison use each other to manipulate Margo and pals? When Addison catches on, how does he manipulate Eve? And why? What does Addison have to gain?
- Why does Karen decide to trick Margo into missing her performance? Why does she side with Eve in this instance? Was Eve just using Karen?
Chew on This
Take a peek at these thesis statements. Agree or disagree?
Margo has been an actress for so long, she's confused herself with "Margo Channing" the legend.
Eve deserves her Sarah Siddons Award because she is a fantastic actress. She tricked everyone into believing she was a decent person.