The Three Faces of Eve (1957)

• Year: 1957
• Released: 18 Sep 1957
• Country: United States
• Adwords: Won 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 1 nomination total
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051077/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/The_Three_Faces_of_Eve
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: English
• MPA Rating: Approved
• Genre: Drama, Mystery
• Runtime: 91 min
• Writer: Nunnally Johnson, Corbett Thigpen, Hervey M. Cleckley
• Director: Nunnally Johnson
• Cast: Joanne Woodward, David Wayne, Lee J. Cobb
• Keywords: based on true story, based on a true story, mental illness, georgia, multiple personality,

7.2/10

The Three Faces of Eve Storyline

In 1951, in Georgia, the submissive housewife and mother Eve White is brought by her husband Ralph White to a consultation with Doctor Curtis Luther since she has painful headaches followed by blackouts with no recollections of what she did. The rude Ralph tells that she bought expensive clothing and hurt their daughter Bonnie during one of these blackouts. Dr. Luther begins her therapy and soon Eve shows a new personality, the reckless and wild Eve Black that hates Ralph and loves to drink and dance with other men, and Dr. Luther diagnoses a case of multiple personality to his colleague Doctor Francis Day. Ralph moves with Bonnie to Jacksonville and Eve continues her treatment. She tells that she is hearing voices, and Dr. Luther uses hypnosis to disclose more about her trauma. Out of the blue, a third personality emerges and tells that she is Jane that shows that is a balanced personality. Dr. Luther questions which personality should be the predominant.

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The Three Faces of Eve Movie Reviews

Dated, but Still Good Docudrama with Magnificent Performance of Joanne Woodward

In 1951, in Georgia, the submissive housewife and mother Eve White (Joanne Woodward) is brought by her husband Ralph White (David Wayne) to a consultation with Doctor Curtis Luther (Lee J. Cobb) since she has painful headaches followed by blackouts with no recollections of what she did. The rude Ralph tells that she bought expensive clothing and hurt their daughter Bonnie during one of these blackouts. Dr. Luther begins her therapy and soon Eve shows a new personality, the reckless and wild Eve Black that hates Ralph and loves to drink and dance with other men, and Dr. Luther diagnoses a case of multiple personality to his colleague Doctor Francis Day (Edwin Jerome).

Ralph moves with Bonnie to Jacksonville and Eve continues her treatment. She tells that she is hearing voices, and Dr. Luther uses hypnosis to disclose more about her trauma. Out of the blue, a third personality emerges and tells that she is Jane that shows that is a balanced personality. Dr. Luther questions which personality should be the predominant.

“The Three Faces of Eve” is based on a true story and based on a book written by two medical doctors about a case of multiple personality in Georgia. I do not know the impact of Nunnally Johnson’s movie in 1957 since it is dated in the present days. But it is still a good docudrama, especially because of the magnificent performance of Joanne Woodward in the role of three different women. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): “As Três Máscaras de Eva” (“The Three Masks of Eve”)

early multiple personalities

This purports to be the real case of Eve. In 1951, timid housewife Eve White (Joanne Woodward) and her abusive husband walk into the office of psychiatrist Dr. Luther (Lee J. Cobb). She is suffering from missing time and Luther determines that she has multiple personalities.

Back in the day, this was probably new with some shock value. Joanne Woodward is a good early adapter. Honestly, they almost had to give her the Oscar for this new performance(s). The plot does need a destination. An earlier foreshadowing of the childhood trauma could have satisfied that need. Luther needs to be a bigger protagonist although he is the narrator. It’s much later when he gets the co-starring role. The psychiatric work is not really a visual thrill. The final reveal is sadly unshocking. This is an early attempt at the subject matter which does give it first dibs. It’s a solid effort.

Needs to be seen from the 1957 perspective

I saw this while in my mid 20’s and found it a most daring and powerful movie. Joanne Woodward’s acting was phenomenal, especially her ability to switch personalities instantly. And while much credit needs to be given Nunnaly Johnson’s direction, I believe Woodward’s performance fueled each of the other actors in reacting to her personalities.

These days, the film doesn’t have the same power which is why I feel it needs to be seen from the mid 50’s viewpoint.

I heartily disagree with those who feel there wasn’t enough difference between the Eve White personality and the Jane personality. Woodward definitely brought out the submissiveness and lack of self confidence in Eve White and the level headed attitude of Jane.

It’s true that the true story didn’t end where the movie did. However it does stand as a great movie.

One does wonder if either Judy Garland or June Allyson, both of whom were offered the role, could have done as well. Orson Welles reportedly stated that any actress successfully doing the role would win an Oscar. However, Woodward did the switch so effortlessly that I feel she was destined for the role.

As for those who argue that MPD doesn’t actually exist, I personally knew a woman afflicted with the disorder. It indeed exists.