Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Orla Zuniga It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Lee Eisenberg In the past year I've been making an effort to see as many Academy Award-nominated movies as possible, minus a few that don't look interesting. The latest that I've seen is Edmund Goulding's "Dark Victory". I don't know whether or not this was the first movie to focus on medical malpractice, but it's worth seeing nonetheless. Bette Davis plays a socialite who has a malignant tumor removed, except that not all of it can get removed. The doctor decides that he wants her to be happy, and so he doesn't tell her about this.Much of the story seemed hackneyed, but Davis's performance carried the entire movie. Also of note are early appearances of Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Ronald Reagan. But what's probably most important is that they did not give it the typical Hollywood ending. Despite its flaws, the movie works out well overall. Not that I would expect less of Bette Davis. I recommend it.

weezeralfalfa I don't understand the wording of the title. Near the end, Bette says something about they(she and George Brent) had achieved a victory over darkness, presumably meaning despair over her certain impending death from glioblastoma cancer. Before her diagnosis, she had been a carefree, wealthy, heiress, only interested in entertaining herself and friends. After the said successful operation, she returned to her old self for awhile, until she happened upon the folder with details of her case. She was livid at the deceit of her surgeon and lover: Dr. Steele(Brent) and her best friend , Ann King(Geraldine Fitzgerald). After a period of telling sarcasm and extreme hate, she finally realized that they were trying to do her a favor. Bette had her favorite leading man and sometimes lover present in Brent, who costarred with her in eleven films. He had a disquieting way of staring at a person before acting or speaking. Bogie, as her longtime horse trainer, had a very subsidiary role, revealing, during Bette's period of despair, his suppressed love for her. My cousin died of this incurable cancer not long ago. He was lucky he experienced minimal symptoms before succumbing. Even for those who experience some of the symptoms, it's a relatively brief and painless cancer, and some remarked that they might wish to die of this disease.

l_rawjalaurence In truth DARK VICTORY has a soggy story of the impending death of Judith Traherne (Bette Davis), an energetic socialite diagnosed with an incurable brain disease. Nor is the film helped by a wooden performance from costar George Brent, who seems more worried about stealing Davis's limelight rather than creating a coherent portrait of a hotshot surgeon falling in love with his patient.On the other hand viewers have much to savor in Davis's performance. She begins the film full of nervous energy, as she desperately tries to prove to herself and her friends that she is perfectly healthy apart from occasional headaches. Her movements are abrupt, almost bird- like as she moves across the frame, unable to keep still for one moment.It is only when Dr. Steele (Brent) takes her under his medical wing that her condition improves. She becomes almost childlike as she willingly agrees to have her nerves tested. The doctor taps her knees and her elbows and she laughs girlishly, almost as if such treatment was not something she had experienced for a long time.In the film's third movement, once she discovers her true condition, Davis resembles a galleon in full sail. Her drunk sequence in an upmarket restaurant reminds us of her memorable performance as Margo Channing in ALL ABOUT EVE: no one, not least Dr. Steele and her best friend Ann (Geraldine Fitzgerald) can stand in her way.At length, however, Judith comes to accept her fate and enjoy her last days in peace. She marries Steele, and the two of them decamp to Vermont where she enjoys cultivating her garden and acting the part of an embryonic homemaker. The end, when it strikes, is sudden: Judith clasps her hands to her head and moves slowly up to her bedroom where she lies on the bed and awaits death to the accompaniment of heavenly choirs. Davis's face becomes still, almost beatific; a testament to her versatility as a screen performer.Beside her performance, no one really has much of a chance. Fitzgerald carries off the thankless role of the best friend with aplomb, while Humphrey Bogart (in one of his last supporting roles before stardom beckoned) makes a passionate stable-hand. But DARK VICTORY is very much Davis's picture, and she takes her opportunity to dominate our attention with both hands.

jeffhaller125 I hated this movie as a kid and decided to see what I would think 40 years later. There is no doubt that it is well-made: well directed, well written and except for Davis and Brent (did he ever act, it was always the same performance)well acted. All the Davis mannerisms are there and it is amazing how unattractive she really was which doesn't work well forthis character. Judith Traherne is abrasive and crude. Davis could give her some sympathy if she would just shut up, slow down and listen for a second instead of divaing it up every chance she gets. I laughed when they went into the explanation of how this contrived disease would progress. But the noble thing about the actors is that they treat the material as if it was all intelligent and sensible.Fitzgerald was such a fine actress that it is a shame she wasn't used more in leads. Bogart gave a decent Irish accent and his scene where he finally puts the moves on Davis is believable and touching. Reagan's character stays drunk and it is funny how as president, he so much behaved like this guy.It is too long. But had the lead been played by a good actor, not Davis, I think it would have been easier to buy into the contrivances.Still, there is nothing on film as fun as the moment when Bette Davis reads the menu.