Beware of Imitations: All about Eve (1950)
Joseph L. Mankiewicz's film All About Eve (1950) offers a useful case study through which to examine the relationship between genre and psychology in adaptation studies, particularly as they relate to performance. In this anti biopic, the eponymous young star does not know how to adapt, that is, how to discover new relationships between the self and the outside world. Instead, Eve imitates the mannerisms of an established star, rehearsing and rehashing the perspectives of others in her acting. The fact that she receives a prestigious award for imitation, and not for a truly adaptive performance, allows us to reflect critically on adaptation as a psychological as well as a textual process and the purposes of theatre and film awards.