Choosing for Happiness (1950)

★★★★★ · Clueless Cousins · autoguy · 2005-11-21

This timeless film clearly shows how human nature will never change, and it as valid today as ever. A rather reserved young woman observes the behaviours of her cousin Eve, and suggests changes she feels would be beneficial. Eve, an outgoing and aggressive type, seems to have problems with all the boys she meets. Does anyone in this film even have a clue why? Only one person does, but only for a fleeting moment. Eve cannot understand her own needs, and every boy she meets is dumb as a stump. Eve is merely seeking an alpha male. One who can step up to the plate and grab the reigns. She pushes…

★★★★ · Tips on Getting Your MRS Degree · Christine Hennig · 2004-07-13

College girl Mary narrates this film about her friend Eve, and why, despite EveÃÂs good looks, she hasnÃÂt found a husband yet. It turns out that Eve is as controlling as all get out, throwing a snit fit whenever a boyfriend fails to do exactly as she orders. The message here is that you canÃÂt change other people, you can only change yourself. ItÃÂs a sound message, as far as that goes, except that you donÃÂt get the feeling that young men during the 50s were getting the same message from social guidance films. When you take into consideration the blatant sexism of the 50s, itÃÂs disturbing…

★★★★ · Gah! · jenniferger · 2008-08-28

"You're not like other girls... you're really smart; almost like a man!" I want to PUNCH that guy in the face. I don't have a problem with Eve... She's human, she's flawed, and she rings truer to me than most of the meek, soft-spoken, boring protrayals of women in the 50s...or maybe the actress is just better than usual. :D

★★★★ · All About Eve · Darthdemona · 2004-04-04

Eve has some serious issues. She is a passive-aggressive control freak, and I'm surprised anyone wants to be around her. That being said, none of the boys she dates really seem to be any prize either--except Steve, he's adorable. At least the last guy she sees doesn't allow Eve to push him around, although if a guy told me I ought to be taken over someone's knee and spanked I would run the other way. And is it just me, or do all of these films have a character named Mary?

★★★★ · For another generation · ERD · 2005-11-02

The film probably made a lot of sense to the early 1950's generation.

★★★ · biyotch! · dynayellow · 2004-07-21

Jeez, Eve, you think you can stop controlling people for five seconds? College bud Mary (who's internal narrator voice is very different from her spoken voice) has to tackle her friend Mary's psychosis of controlling every aspect of the men she dates. I didn't find the film especially derogatory to women (other than the fact that Eve is, you know, nuts). Mary doesn't suggest that Eve should be subservient to men, or let one boss her around, just that Mary should be aware of who she is, and what she's doing (ordering people around).