This world goes on without us, and a mostly anti-Hollywood film can be read in more than one way, which is wildly more interesting than anyone more specific ending.

| Feb 27, 2024

Bad proves Minnelli to be one of the most assured and powerful names in the world of cinematic melodrama, and his ability to bring to the genre the sense of tension found more often in noir pictures, really makes this film a singular and esoteric entrant.

| Sep 1, 2020

The Bad and the Beautiful is a lot of film, and seems always on the verge of getting somewhere. But it never does.

| Aug 31, 2020

Brilliant as the film undoubtedly is, ingeniously shaped and textured, it remains, with its lack of a developing centre, too insubstantial.

| Aug 31, 2020

MGM gathered together a galaxy of stars... and to my mind attempted to make another All About Eve. Instead, they just made another film with one of the most incoherent stories I've ever tried to decipher.

| Aug 31, 2020

Instead of satire there is false sentiment.

| Aug 31, 2020

Though some of the characters may be bad and others beautiful, few are either real or believable.

| Aug 31, 2020

As a study of Hollywood the film is not particularly observant. It has gumption but no imagination. It draws attention to false values but does not put them in their place.

| Aug 31, 2020

If this is Hollywood with the lid off, the smell is not pleasant, but it is certainly powerful, and i strongly urge you to take a sniff.

| Aug 31, 2020

Although a good deal less penetrating in its close-up of "the real Hollywood" than it pretends to be, this is a smooth and enjoyable comedy-drama.

| Aug 31, 2020

The film gets full marks for dialogue and full marks for direction by Vincente Minnelli.

| Aug 31, 2020

Thanks to the masterful direction, the fine screenplay, the exceptionally good dialogue and the excellent performances of everyone in the star-studded cast, The Bad and the Beautiful emerges as a first-rate adult drama.

| Aug 31, 2020

Douglas' teeth-clenched, dimple-thrusting megalomaniac is among his best work, while the gossipy screenplay (another Oscar winner) is served wonderfully by Minnelli's lush melodramatics.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 31, 2020

Minnelli's love/hate letter to Hollywood is still essential viewing for any seasoned film buff.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 31, 2020

Along the way there are pleasures aplenty, among them several delightful performances on the supporting card.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 31, 2020

The movie doesn't really know what to do with the unruly implications it has manufactured.

| Aug 31, 2020

The third act drags, making the film feel overlong and sluggish.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Aug 15, 2020

Working from a poison-pen script by Charles Schnee, director Vincente Minnelli uncovers the darkness behind every deal and the provocation behind every production, playing into the narrative of Tinseltown as a place where souls are sold rather than saved.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 9, 2019

...swoons for all things silver screen.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 4, 2019

The master class in piquant flash tends to Hollywood's warts like sumptuous flowers

| Mar 2, 2015