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Mommie Dearest | Year: 1981 Classification: Drama Directed: - Frank Perry Actors/Actresses: - Diana Scarwid - Faye Dunaway Camp galore What was, I'm sure, meant to be regarded as a serious film is considered, among myself and my friends, as one of the funniest films ever made. Who, in their right mind, can consider this movie as anything but high camp? Every character is laughable, even in their pathetic and victimized guise, they inspire a chuckle. Notice how Faye Dunaway goes cross-eyed as she walks away after pummeling Christina with the powder cleanser container and telling her "you figure out." "Barbara, please! Please, Barbara!" Joan shouts at Barbara Bennett right before she proceeds to clutch at her clothing in a fury ignited by Christina's defiance. "Tina, bring me the ax!" Joan yells as she's kneeling in an evening gown in the rose garden and cutting down everything in sight, her face scratched up, obviously by thorns. Christopher Crawford is but a mere footnote. Why wasn't he ever the recipient any of his adoptive mother's vitriol? How much truth there is to story, no one will ever really know, but as a bio-pic, it leaves a great deal to be desired, hence it's status as a comedy/camp/cult classic. I love Faye Dunaway, but what were she and Frank Perry thinking with that over the top characterization of Joan Crawford? Neither Joan nor Faye can be taken seriously for one second; each seems to be a caricature of the other. The look of the movie is stylish and, I'm sure, accurate, but everything else reeks of melodrama. Nevertheless, a terrific, fun movie that requires several viewings to be truly appreciated. I, for one, never get tired of seeing it, each time finding something new and hilarious. One final comment, notice how in Joan's choking rage she knocks out poor Carole Ann, not unlike some demented cartoon character. Something like The Three Stooges, meets Edith Head, meets Bonanza, meets George Cukor, meets Divine. Positively hilarious. Each line, inflection, gesture is memorable and a guilty pleasure. Like you know you shouldn't be laughing and enjoying the concept of abuse but you genuinely can't help it. Diane Scarwid is almost somnambular as the adult Christina, Mara Hobel the effective, albeit irritating, young incarnation that kind of makes you want to cheer for Joan. Clean up this mess!! Ever since 1978, I have been unable to escape MOMMIE DEAREST! First, I received the scathing, tell-all by daughter Christina Crawford for Christmas that year, and it made for one fascinating read! Then, in 1981, I saw Mommie Dearest on the big screen. Well, of course, they'd changed some things, compressed a few scenes here and there, and paid absolutely no attention to Joan's early life as a struggling actress (and part-time waitress). That's ok, though, cause what they left us with was 100+eef! Faye Dunaway is absolutely stupendous as Joan, though she's nowhere as beautiful as Joan was in her prime (which is when Mommie Dearest, the movie, begins). At times, the make-up is amazing...but there are other moments when it appears outlandish, even (dare I say) frightening. Those lips! And especially those insane eyebrows! They look like they've been painted on with a magic marker! Be that as it may, her performance is top-notch all the way. Certainly the challenge was a daunting one--Crawford had only been dead a few years, and most modern audiences remember her from horror films, like Trog and Berserk. Dunaway captures Joan's essence just enough to suggest the real thing...and she's the only reason for seeing (and owning) Mommie Dearest. Frankly, I laughed when she started beating the ... out of that obnoxious little actress who played young Christina. The wire-hangers scene was a hoot! And Diana Scarwid, as adult Christina, is so zombie-like, you swear she's on anti-depressants (and this was before anti-depressants were all the rage). Plus, she speaks with a distinct "twang" to her voice--what, was Christina a Texan? When Joan freaks out and jumps on Christina, pounding her head into the carpet, I almost lost my jujubes! I can't imagine filming this scene--both actresses must have been busting a gut laughing between takes. As for Joan's near and dear secretary, I have no idea who the actress is--but she wears the most unconvincing "old lady" make-up I've ever seen. All in all, I recommend Mommie Dearest, both as book and film--the the DVD print is really gorgeous. But do we really need to know that Joan was mean, that she drank, and was a floozy who bedded younger men? Heck, she was a STAR! And that's what stars do! Would we expect any OTHER behavior? People like Joan Crawford were made for the Ages--and Christina's book only added to her mystique. Joan, here's to you! Mommie dearest, indeed! "Tina!... Bring me the Axe!" This movie scared me to death when I was a kid. I had absolutely no idea who Joan Crawford was, so I just naturally took the whole thing as a tale of a goofball mother who abused her kids a lot. I had nightmares of Faye Dunaway wearing a facemask beating me with wire hangers while screaming, "Don't f--- with me, fella!" Seriously, I never had the nightmares, but as a child, Faye Dunaway played one vicious bitch who I was glad wasn't my mother. I'm 22 now and know who Joan Crawford is. The physical resemblance between Mrs. Dunaway and Mrs. Crawford is striking at times. As far as Faye's acting goes, well... I'm suprised she didn't gain a little weight during the production from all that scenery she chewed. This is THE definitive "ham" performance. It's just so over the top and hysterically wacko. There's so many instances where the character does something off the wall that it'd be impossible to list them all. In short, it's one of the most memorable performances of the 80's. I would say "bravo," but I'm not sure if this is what Dunaway was going for. It's also the only interesting performance in the entire movie. At least Dunaway knows how to deliver her lines in a SLIGHTLY realistic manner; the rest of the cast is basically just pathetic. The girl who played Christina (name escapes me) is god-awful in this film. Behold: "I'm... not... one of yourrrr [FANS]!" It must be seen to be believed. The entire film revels in the realm of all things bizarre and awful. And that's exactly why it's so darn entertaining. Some of the quotes are so nutty that they've earned a permanent rank into the lexicon of pop culture, the most famous being, of course, "No wire hangers... EVER(....)!" If you're into this goofy stuff, I'd highly re p=2025&link_code=xm2"> Buy Mommie Dearest at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  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