Mommie Dearest
Faye Dunaway is Joan Crawford. A star...a legend...and a mother. The illusion of perfection.
This is the outrageous and controversial story of legendary movie star Joan Crawford (Dunaway) and her struggle with the deal roles of fading actress and tormented mother. The public Crawford was strong-willed, glamorous and admirable, but Mommie Dearest reveals the private Crawford, the woman desperate to be a mother, adopting her children when she was single and trying to survive in the devastating movie industry. The rage, the debilitating strain, and the terrifying descent into alcoholism and child abuse are graphically -- and unforgettably -- depicted in this film.
Member Reviews
Interesting and sad... - BrightAngel
I have heard Mommie Dearest being referred to as an example of a cruel uncaring mother that inflicts abuse on her innocent daughter. I didn't see it like this at all. I definitely see the cruelty in the treatment of the eldest but not due to a lack of love by her mother. Everyone struggles and even the icons are human. Some people are driven so much that they pass their breaking point but still continue to smile and wave. I see strong humans, both Joan and her daughter, leading tragic lives. Heart-wretching. The acting was well done but at times the character of Joan looked a little too comical. Maybe the producers were trying to make Joan look crazy?I DARE ANYONE TO BE BORED IN THIS - Craigo
Sure it's a high-glitz 80's drama with all the trappings of over-the-top acting and a script that needs to be heard to be beleived, but this is probably one of the most compulsivly watchable movies ever made. Never a dull moment to be had here. Just goes and goes and goes until the veiwer is left emotionaly exhuasted and wishing it had a six hour running-time. Anyone who has seen this has probably seen it more than once, and anyone stumbling upon it for the first time is in for a treat.Good performance by Dunaway - eoguy
Although this is quite the essential movie when it comes to gay culture, it is probably only worth watching for that reason alone. Or Faye Dunaway's performance. The film follows Joan Crawford's daughter's life and the relationship with her mother (as it obviously references in the title). The movie never explains why Crawford was such a wacko -- nor does it even attempt to try. Instead, we get random scenes of sometimes overdramatic psycotic episodes that jump from one moment to the next. Aside from those moments, it has some classic lines: "No wire hangers EVER!" If you haven't seen it, it's worth it just for that scene. It's definitely one for cinematic history.
Member Reviews
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Interesting and sad... - BrightAngel
I have heard Mommie Dearest being referred to as an example of a cruel uncaring mother that inflicts abuse on her innocent daughter. I didn't see it like this at all. I definitely see the cruelty in the treatment of the eldest but not due to a lack of love ...I DARE ANYONE TO BE BORED IN THIS - Craigo
Sure it's a high-glitz 80's drama with all the trappings of over-the-top acting and a script that needs to be heard to be beleived, but this is probably one of the most compulsivly watchable movies ever made. Never a dull moment to be had here. Just goes and ...Good performance by Dunaway - eoguy
Although this is quite the essential movie when it comes to gay culture, it is probably only worth watching for that reason alone. Or Faye Dunaway's performance. The film follows Joan Crawford's daughter's life and the relationship with her mother (as it obviously ...