Review of The Barefoot Contessa (1954) by David F — 18 Jul 2010

Not quite the level of catty expose on the film business one would expect from Mankiewicz, the director and writer of the vastly superior 'All About Eve', but still quite engaging at least on an intellectual and literary level.

The screenplay is as tart and acerbic as one would expect from Mankiewicz, focusing a jaundiced and cynical eye toward the world of show business, the idle rich and phony public relations, but the whole affair drags on a little too long and comes across a little too aloof and inert.

However, it's always great to hear Bogart deliver some great voiceover monologues - his world-weary tone suits the script perfectly. Ava Gardner is very nice to look at, but her character lacked depth and comes off a bit glacial and off-putting.

The best performance belongs to Edmond O'Brien as the opportunistic and constantly perspiring publicity man (for which he won an Oscar).