AniInterview
Sorry, this movie sucks
Dynamixor
The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.
Cassandra
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
JohnHowardReid
The stage play seems to be the equivalent of a pulp magazine romance – and this movie is very, very much a filmed stage play. Unfortunately, it's overloaded with uninteresting characters and tedious dialogue. The best we can say of Edmund Goulding's direction, is that it's boringly routine. The acting is none too good either. Miss Davis runs through the full gamut of her mannerisms. Brent is stiff as a poker. And Humphrey Bogart remembers halfway through the film that he's supposed to be Irish – not that it matters much, as his role is disappointingly small anyway. Davis admirers please take note that she is neither costumed nor photographed to her advantage. Finally, to throw a bit more icing off the cake, Max Steiner's music score is one of his least memorable.
elvircorhodzic
THE DARK VICTORY is good romantic drama, which unfolds in a very sensitive spiritual dimension. Essentially, this is the victory of the soul over the body. Of course, this description is sketchy. Bette Davis is incredible.Judith Traherne (Bette Davis) is a young woman full of life, which is suffering from a malignant tumor. The path of incomprehension and rejection through sorrow and love to know and reconciliation is perfectly described. Bette Davis is masterfully put forward role. She had the support of the rest of the excellent team led by George Brent as Dr. Frederick Steele, Geraldine Fitzgerald as Ann King and Humphrey Bogart as Michael O'Leary.Dark Victory is literally a film about the victory, the only real and true victory, perhaps the most important elemental things of the essence - and this is the victory of man over the fear of death. Director and story are pretty sloppy for such deep topics. It is very positive that this movie at its peak celebrates life. The courage and inner strength of spirit that is nurtured by love, endless energy and youthful freshness
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.
mark.waltz
This box-office bonanza confirmed Bette Davis's status as the most critically and financially successful star of her day, who like her slight look-alike Meryl Streep, could do no wrong with two Oscars under her purse. Davis was almost assured a third Oscar for this (until a little film called "Gone With the Wind" came along late in the year with a ravishing British woman named Vivien Leigh swiping it away) but entered film immortality that year anyway with an additional three classics to her credit.As the lively socialite Judith Traherne, Davis is the most popular member of her social circle, alternately loved, loathed and lusted after for her striking independence. But fate has a tricky way of stepping in, and before she knows it, a visit to the doctor's after a fall from a horse leads to the revelation of her own immortality being threatened, something a spitfire like her is in fury of having to face with the deck of cards stacked against her.She is supported by the loyal George Brent as the brutally honest doctor who treats her and two uniquely different men-Humphrey Bogart as the lusty stableman secretly in love with her, and "Little Ronnie Reagan" (as Davis herself would call him when he entered a certain sector called politics) is her socially alike boyfriend but totally different in spirit. He gives a performance so sexless that you can't believe for a minute that she'd have an eye on him. It is the Heathcliff like Bogart who is much more her match, filled with fire to match her own sexuality, if not equal to her socially. Their scene when he reveals his feelings to her is an attempted seduction that under different circumstances would rock the stables he works in. More intuned to her both romantically and socially is Brent, giving one of his best performances. Also noteworthy is Geraldine Fitzgerald as Davis's loyal secretary and confidante who stands by her through thick and thin.The real treat is seeing Davis grow from devil may care socialite to a lovely but ultimately doomed young lady. Yes, there are tons of clichés, but Davis helps the film rise above each and every one of them. In the end, what this film is about is rising above one's own mortality and facing death with dignity, which she does beautifully.
