Plantiana Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Wordiezett So much average

Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

HotToastyRag I don't usually like movies that are told in flashbacks, but The Bad and the Beautiful is an exception. The start of the movie shows Lana Turner, Dick Powell, and Barry Sullivan, all successful in their Hollywood careers, refusing to take a call or speak to the character of Jonathan Shields. Walter Pidgeon summons all three to his office and one by one, we learn how each met, knew, and was influenced by Jonathan Shields-and of course, why they want nothing more to do with him. Jonathan Shields is played by Kirk Douglas, in an Oscar-nominated, fantastic performance. He wasn't nominated for the previous year's Ace in the Hole, and in one of the Academy's infamous travesties, the award for Best Actor of 1952 went to Gary Cooper for High Noon. If you haven't seen either movie, you don't know how ridiculous that is, but I urge you to rent both on a weekend and watch them back-to-back. Then feel free to lose a little respect for the Oscars.The cinematography, costumes, and screenplay were awarded that season, as was Gloria Grahame's mediocre performance. This was the first Kirk Douglas movie I saw, and it's one of his best. He's so charming and attentive to everyone's needs, but in the blink of an eye he can turn into a different, cruel person. I remember as a teenager, his chameleon persona was both frightening and terribly attractive. Each time I watch this movie, I'm reminded of why I'm a Kirk Douglas fan. If you've only seen him in Ulysses or Spartacus, you need to rent this one. No one makes bad look as good as Kirk Douglas-even the title of this movie agrees with me!

Art Vandelay As David Letterman put it while introducing this movie as part of TCM's Essentials series, this movie is a naive look at the Hollywood studio system. Well, until something 'sinister'' happens, he said. I got 70 minutes into this soapy snooze-fest and decided I couldn't wait any longer for the ''sinister'' turn. It's all competently acted and directed and photographed. But it moves more slowly than a Wednesday episode of The Young And the Restless. Watch Sunset Boulevard again, if you want a wicked look at how Hollywood chews 'em up and spits 'em out. That movie is so full of memorable writing and acting it dwarfs this tepid effort. And the late-great Robert Osborne claimed on air at least once that Sunset Boulevard was his favorite movie. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who would claim The Boring and the Banal was anyone's favorite movie of 1952.

Kevin DiBiase The Bad and the Beautiful may seem at first to be yet another Hollywood film about Hollywood, but that is far from the case. The movie is extremely well made. Kirk Douglas turns in a great performance as Johnathan Shields, a manipulative, broken man who unravels as the film progresses. The film's structure is also very unique, jumping back and forth between flashbacks and the present day as we hear 3 differing accounts of the type of person Shields is. The film is lit in quite a moody way, where the characters almost emit a soft glow and the borders of the screen fade into black. I found this to be very impressive and it helped to accentuate this dramatic tale. The music also stands out, especially compared to other films of the same time period (that weren't musicals). I think this does a great deal to elevate the movie from average to great.

elvircorhodzic THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL is a film that deals with a specific theme of Hollywood myth. Amoral Hollywood producer intends to bring together the three former associates - actress, writer and director - for his new project. The plot through their flashbacks showing how it is mentioned producer during their careers mercilessly exploited. It is interesting to see what is actually happening in this "city of illusions". The story may not be true, but for a number of allusions can capture the imagination.The film is actually made up of three stories that are interconnected. The film does not talk exclusively about corruption one of the characters, but the immorality and misery of Hollywood. Maybe a little too hard, but Hollywood society is far from ideal. In this case, it served as a cold, spicy and sour dish at the same time. Through all the "innards", though the three rises. They become known and famous thanks to the immoral and ruthless producer. In this business there is no room for personal feelings. Film is only essential. It sounds scary, but I think there's quite a percentage of truth.Kirk Douglas as Jonathan Shields is arrogant and ruthless producer who hates Hollywood, but he loves movies. To be filled by everything that is related to the movie. He shows interest in people solely for the needs of the film. He was in the depths of the soul unhappy and filled with some bitterness. Movies are saving, or become his conviction. Due to past experiences Kirk Douglas is certainly the ideal choice for this role.Lana Turner as Georgia Lorrison She is convincing as a drunken intern, then she is as a star. In this case we are talking about the power of the will and the faith of one producer which is made of an failed alcoholic a star. Walter Pidgeon as Harry Pebbel, character who was run over by Hollywood practice. Unfortunately he only realized the essence. Dick Powell as James Lee is abused novelist. However, this abuse has freed him from "the shackles". Barry Sullivan as Fred Amiel is a talented young director who is dull fooled at the beginning of his career. However, this scam saved his career.All this is pretty well packed so it would seem more realistic. Certainly there is smoke.