SHE SHINES IN THIS DARK COMEDY WELL WORTH A WATCH!

The one-eyed mother!
Review date: 2003-08-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Anniversary is a splendid film. It's witty, wicked, morbid and strangely fascinating. Bette Davis excels as the one-eyed widow of the owner of a construction company owner who refuses to let go of her three grown up sons and interferes in their lives.The 'anniversary,'party referred to is a wedding anniversary party held in honour of the widow's late husband who died many years ago. The party in the film is certainly one full of surprises as the one-eyed widow finds out.
I really liked this film. Bette Davis shines all the way through the film with her portrayal of the evil widow and she is frightening with that eye-patch. The Anniversary is one of her Bette Davis' best films from her older years and like a bottle of fine wine she gets better with age. With a good supporting cast of British actors such as James Cossins, Sheila Hancock and Jack Hedley I would highly recommend this film to anyone who likes a good Bette Davis film and an entertaining film drama.

The One -Eyed Matriarch!
Review date: 2003-08-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

Bette Davis is one of the greatest film actresses of all time. I really liked a lot of the later films she made through the sixties such as 'The Nanny,'and in particular 'The Anniversary,' which added an extra dimension to her extraordinary acting abilities. Through her older years she certainly cornered the film market by skilfully playing bitter, twisted and manipulative old women as seen in other films such as 'Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte,'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane,'The Nanny,' and especially this gem 'The Anniversary.'

She is definitely not the 'kind old lady next door,'in this film as she portrays the one -eyed wealthy widow of the long deceased owner of a construction company. She is brilliant as she dominates the screen throughout the entire film as a matriarchal figure who has an unyielding hold over her three wimpish sons. The so-called 'Anniversary,'is a wedding anniversary party to celebrate her union with her husband who died ages ago. She is evil, scheming, devious, malicious and sadistic particularly at the pleasure she gains from taunting people about their weaknesses e.g. when she teases her son's girlfriend about her ears.

This is a great film because Bette Davis complete with an eye -patch made my skin crawl and even that image of her today still frightens me somewhat. The dramatic climax can be seen at the intense 'anniversary,' party where tension can be felt by everyone as Ms Davis gets more than she bargained for from her sons and those present. Will the evil mother get her come-uppance? One should wait and find out by seeing this film. With an excellent supporting cast of British actors such as Sheila Hancock, James Cossins and Jack Hedley 'The Anniversary,'is witty, wicked, dark and deliciously horrid at times. This is a good film and Ms Davis proves that age is no barrier in being a 'true character,'

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