Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Lee Eisenberg In the past year I've been making an effort to see as many Academy Award-nominated movies as possible, minus a few that don't look interesting. The latest that I've seen is Edmund Goulding's "Dark Victory". I don't know whether or not this was the first movie to focus on medical malpractice, but it's worth seeing nonetheless. Bette Davis plays a socialite who has a malignant tumor removed, except that not all of it can get removed. The doctor decides that he wants her to be happy, and so he doesn't tell her about this.Much of the story seemed hackneyed, but Davis's performance carried the entire movie. Also of note are early appearances of Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Ronald Reagan. But what's probably most important is that they did not give it the typical Hollywood ending. Despite its flaws, the movie works out well overall. Not that I would expect less of Bette Davis. I recommend it.

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.

utgard14 Glossy weeper with Bette Davis playing a rich girl who discovers she has a terminal brain tumor. George Brent is the doctor who falls in love with her. Davis is melodramatic but good at it. Brent is the same as he usually is. Solid but nothing more than you expect from him. Geraldine Fitzgerald and Ronald Reagan play friends of Bette's. Both are enjoyable. Humphrey Bogart turns in one of his worst performances as an Irish stable master. Oh, boy that accent! I guess even the greats had limitations. But still it's Bogie and his screen presence goes a long way, even in bad parts. This was reportedly Bette Davis' favorite film of hers. It's a great one I'm sure fans of Bette will appreciate.

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.