THE STAR is a blatant star vehicle for Ms. Davis, directed by a B-grade studio hack, Stuart Heisler. After her triumphant turn in ALL ABOUT EVE (1950), the film nabs her the tenth Oscar nomination, a record-setter at that time.It is a scenario ever so familiar for Ms. Davis, she plays Margaret Elliot, an Oscar-winning, but now divorced and over-the-hill actress, she has designs on a comeback, but her broken financial status takes her to the rock bottom in the night of the auction of her belongings, she ends up in jail. Bailed out by Jim Johannsen (Hayden), a former sailor and one-time actor whom she discovered, now is a self-reliant mechanic. Jim has always been an admirer of her, and tries very hard to persuade Margaret to face the music of the ageism showbiz. They spend a tranquil time together, occasionally sail to the sea together with Gretchen (Wood), Margaret's teenage daughter.Margaret dabbles in working as a salesgirl under a pseudonym, but her ordinary life as a commoner doesn't last long, she is a careerist, an egoist, a diva who cannot admit defeat so easily. Her agent gets her a secondary role in a new movie which she has hankering after for a long time. During the casting test, she contradicts the director's request and sexes up her character under the delusion that the producer will change the idea to recast her as the young protagonist after seeing her test reel. It goes without saying that she fails to get the part, eventually, a not-too-late wake-up call prompts her to accept the reality check.The script runs unevenly from triteness (is it that easy for a former Hollywood matinée idol to pretend as another person and work in a department store?) to occasionally well-conceived metaphor (the upmarket Desire Me perfume Vs. its sample bottle with coloured water), but has no guts to lift the lid on the paternalism and prejudice of Tinseltown, both Margaret's agent (Anderson) and the producer (Watson) are depicted with benevolence, as if they shouldn't share any responsibility of what has happened to the types like her. Ms. Davis splendidly wears her heart on the sleeve, it is a juicy part, although Margaret is far from a character in line with her persona, Bette Davis will never quit working just because she can no longer play maiden roles, she will feistily fight back, take the has-been part, ignites the screen and proves her prowess, that's the right thing to do in hindsight, but THE STAR advocates a more patronising option for middle-aged female washed-ups, just to find a man who is willing to put up with such a prima donna and never come back, that's plain unforgivable.

I love Bette Davis, but by 1952, just as with her character in this movie, her best days were behind her. But, that didn't mean one couldn't enjoy a good Bette Davis performance.The main problem I have with this film is not Miss Davis (my all-time favorite female actress), but with her co-star -- Sterling Hayden. If ever there was a limited actor, he was it. The desk I'm sitting at is less wooden than he was.The second problem I have with this film, and only slightly less significant is the script. At first it seems plausible. An older Academy Award winning actress is suddenly on the skids, and she is reaching her breaking point (which might have been a good title for the film). But why drop into the depths when television was alive and well, and yes, although "Playhouse 90" was not around yet, there were dramatic television series on the air already, and quite a few actors and actresses (including people like Ronald Colman) were beginning to do work in television. But, that logical storyline wouldn't have made a dramatic film, even if it had been based on reality. And then there's the ending of the film. She basically kidnaps her own daughter (gee, no problem there) because she has suddenly realized that true love conquers all, and heads off to a relationship which is outside of show biz. Really, that's sort of pathetic.But back to Bette Davis. Her performance here is, in my view, flawed. There are scenes with brilliance. And there are scenes where I really felt she was "overacting".Natalie Wood is here as the daughter, but isn't given much of do of significance, but wow -- this was his 17th film! It was good to see an older Minor Watson here...always a welcome character actor.I see this film as abounding in transition. Bette Davis transitioning into films where she played older character. But even the film industry transitioning (coarsely at times) into what it saw as more realistic and gritty film-making. But is this a top-notch film? No. Good, but not great.

Bette Davis deservedly won world wide fame at Warner Bros with a string of hits for the record books: Oscars for Jezebel, Dangerous, and to me her two greatest at Warners that Davis should have won Oscars : Now Voyager and The Letter. Bette Davis lucked out as she would be the first to admit when Bette Davis inherited from Claudette Colbert another great role starring in 20th's "All About Eve". The Star is another 20th film and this film may be one of her finest performances yet the film is overlooked when one discusses the gallery of great Bette Davis performances. Bette Davis takes role said to be based on Joan Crawford and runs with it. I like the desperation Bette's Margaret Elliot feels and one sees a true artist at work. Bette Davis scored her 9th Oscar nomination.PS Joan Crawford also thought that this film was based on her and played a cruel trick on the films authors who were estranged from their daughter at the time. Crawford planned the Young Lady's elopement and wedding at her Mansion and then called the parents to advise them of the wedding and saying she had a piece of wedding cake for them.

Tragic but redeeming film about a fallen movie star called Margaret Elliot, played by the incomparable Bette Davis. Once one of the great Hollywood faces, her face now seems to be a cynical mirror of disillusionment. A 'washed up' and 'over the hill' actress's struggle with life, identity and human alienation is the story of this very moving and poignant film. Wat struck me about this film are more things than I could mention, but in particular the way this film plays with reality and illusion; fact and fiction. For the film is about a vain, self-absorbed, older movie star struggling with the loss of her appeal and beauty. And, her confrontation with the new young stars that have taken her place in the publics perception. All things that Bette Davis herself must have been dealing with at that time. There for it's a very brave and dramatic film and part for her to chose in that phase of her career. I truly admire her for that. "The Star" has obvious parallels with Billy Wilder's "Sunset Blvd" (1950), but this film is a little more raw and down to earth. Less stylish but a little more human and dramatic perhaps. Some of the metaphors and uses of symbolism are beautifully sharp and touching at the same time. I love the scene where Margaret in her desperation steels a bottle of her famously worn expensive perfume 'I Desire', and then has an awakening when the bottle turns out to be odorless; a display bottle - an illusion; empty and meaningless. Watching this picture gave me another great title to put on my list of favorite films about film. Also a true recommendation for fans of classic cinema, in particularly Bette Davis fans.