Too many fans seem to be blown away

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

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!

The Bad and the Beautiful is an interesting film that blends themes from both drama and film noir. On one hand it heavily relies on flashbacks, a noir staple, and it definitely contains some darker material. In the other, it plays out like a drama, and predominately feels like one instead of a noir. It's a cool mix and I think it works very well. The premise itself is pretty neat: three successful people from different fields of the movie industry meet with a producer to discuss their involvement with an old colleague, a man by the name of Jonathon Shields whom they all despise. As they wait to get ahold of Shields, the producer, Harry Pebbel states that he understands their distaste towards Shields, which leads to our flashbacks as he explains why each person has a problem with him. I thought it was a smart way of introducing the flashbacks while still keeping the situation during the present on the forefront. Each character is fleshed out in their respective flashback, and throughout all of them we get to see what kind of person Shields is. Shields himself is an interesting character, because he genuinely seems to mean well when initially meeting one of the three characters, but you shortly realize he doesn't see himself above manipulation when it suits his needs. Despite this, he's a very charismatic individual, which outshines his manipulative tendencies in most cases. I thought it was interesting how they handled the outcomes of the other characters thanks to Shields' intervention. I think Bartlow the screenwriter is the most justified for hating Shields out of the three characters. Thanks to Shields, not only does his wife have an affair with another man, but he also loses his wife to a plane accident that wouldn't have happened if Shields had left it alone. Sure, Bartlow ends up being successful like the other two, but no amount of success outshines that heavy of a loss. The other two, Amiel and Lorrison were also screwed over by Shields, but not to the same extent as Bartlow. Despite this, their hatred towards Shields still feels justified, although when you hear of their success it's hard to view Shields as a bad guy. Another thing I liked was the theme song for the movie. It's got this invigorating flow to it and it's hard to not get a little into it. Additionally, the uncertainty of the ending was a nice touch. It's implied they agree to work with Shields again, but before anyone explicitly says so the movie ends.

An interesting and engaging drama. The story of an ambitious and charming Hollywood producer who alienates some of the stars he made. A good study of Hollywood behind-the- scenes.Plot is interesting and reasonably solid. Solid direction too from Vincente Minnelli.Great performance from Kirk Douglas in the lead role.Just lacked something to make it really special. Maybe it was the repetitiveness of the three characters stories. After the second you knew pretty much how the third was going to go. Maybe it just seemed that their dislike for him was not justified and didn't make any sense. Maybe it is the fact that I find Walter Pidgeon irritating (though I thought Mrs Miniver was brilliant, in spite of him).

Pretty searing portrayal of life in Hollywood. But the film is ultimately upbeat despite featuring a lot of dark moments. An earnest director (WALTER PIDGEON), a self destructive actress (LANA TURNER) and an indifferent writer (DICK POWELL) all come into contact with an ambitious producer (KIRK DOUGLAS). The film seems to say that ultimately films get made due to the ambition, ruthlessness and drive of the producer. In a way, the film lauds the Hollywood studio system while also showing its dark and ruthless side.VINCENT MINELLI uses a lot of tracking shots, it really is a great film to look at. LANA TURNER and ELAINE STEWART look sensational. GLORIA GRAHAME is a bit of a disappointment as the bimbo wife of DICK POWELL. KIRK DOUGLAS and DICK POWELL made the film for me.