Mommie Dearest
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VHS Movie Reviews of Mommie Dearest
Movie Review: Mommy Who?
Summary: 5 Stars
This move will always be a classic in our family. With Joan Crawford's demands and strict parenting I can see why her adopted daughter would want to let the world know her story. From the time Joan made Christina eat raw (or rare as Joan claimed) steak for days, to the whole wire hanger scene and the cutting of Christina's hair for imitating her mother is all unfortunate but a little humorous. Children always imitate people whom they admire or are a big influence in their lives. Joan did not have to react to such extremes. And the axe scene. Can't forget that wild night. "Christina, bring me the axe". Lol... However they did share a better relationship as they got older. Don't forget when Christina lived on her own and Joan would stop by to pay a visit or when Joan played Christina's part in a popular soap opera show (although Joan was much too old for that role). My main question is where was Christopher during all of these situations? The movie didn't show much of him. I know this movie was about Christina's relationship with her mother, but they could have put him in more scenes, especially as an adult. How was Christina's and Christopher's relationship? I'm not sure if some of the movie was exaggerated or not, but I do know it was unacceptable that Joan didn't leave a penny or any possesions in her will for her children. That's just down right dirty and spiteful even if Christina tested her a bit as a child. That's what children do and they get disciplined appropriately, not with cruel and unual punishment or abuse. But I'm not too sure if the whole story is all biographical. Futhermore, Faye Dunaway played that role phenomenally and was truely convincing. This is a movie that will never be forgotten and will always remain a collectors item. Movie Review: Campy, cheesy, and over the top...what's NOT to love???
Summary: 5 Stars
Personally, I think it took two to tango in the Christina Crawford/Joan Crawford "Mommie Dearest" relationship. I believe that Christina was a dreadful little brat who did everything in her power to push her mother's buttons. And I also believe that Joan Crawford was a bit of a control freak and possibly even a raving bitch.
But the movie is so over the top (Joan picks Christina up from boarding school after Christina gets in trouble, brings her home, and then, in front of a magazine reporter, proceeds to try and choke her to death?!), so campy ("NO wire hangers EVER!!!"), and so incredibly cheesy that it can't be taken in any other way than tongue-in-cheek. Anyone looking to this as a true depiction of the Joan and Christina relationship needs to step back and get a clue.
Cool movie, Faye Dunaway looks the part of Joan Crawford to a "T", and it's all very cool and fun. Just take it with a HUGE grain of salt...it isn't biographical, it's just too ridiculous to be.
**And even if you're not a fan of Crawford, there's no way you can watch this and take it as gospel. It's just too over-the-top, and too many things have been disproven over the years.
Movie Review: A disjointed camp classic
Summary: 4 Stars
Movies become camp classics when they are released with one intention but received another way. This was clearly meant to be a serious drama, but the underline hysteria and shrill dialogue made for silliness and humor. "Wire hangers" and "Bring me the axe!" became instant catch phrases, and even all these years later we still laugh at it. But, it's really not so funny.
Christina Crawford tells her tale of being adopted by none other than movie icon Joan Crawford as an infant. While she was given a chance at a better life, she was forced to endure the brunt of Joan's violent mood swings, alcoholism, and struggles. Unable to have her own children, Joan adopted her children not because she really wanted to give back, but as a publicity stunt. I believe Christina, as many have accused her of lies. Having several friends whose alcoholism and drug abuse have distroyed their families and severed ties with friends, I have seen it first hand. I have seen the terrible temper tantrums, the irrational behavior, and physical distruction on material things as well as the bruised faces of spouses and children. They know full well what they are doing, and maybe they are truly sorry for what they have done, but they are too self centered (like Joan) to change their behavior. A child has no choice but to absorb it, as they are dependent upon their abusive parent and can't escape. We have a tendancy to think that this happens only to poor, uneducated, urban or rural people, but it's going on right next door to you in suburbia and even on Millionaire's Row. It makes you wonder what goes on behind closed doors and how well you really know others. Who would have ever suspected that a glamourous movie star or those who live in wealth and privilage would also be so dysfunctional?
Some things were hyped up and exagerated, to be sure. Had this movie actually been taken as a serious documentary, it would not have flown too well. Faye Dunaway was so over the top she came off more as a ham and less as an actress to me. But then again, this being a camp classic, that's the point.
Movie Review: Funny in parts, disturbing in others, & likely embellished
Summary: 4 Stars
OK have a lot to say, so I will try to say it succinctly and clearly without banging on. :-)
Firstly, there are SO many opinions about Joan and "Mommie Dearest". My opinion is that Christina likely embellished a lot of what happened, and therefore the movie probably shouldn't be taken as a biographical movie.
Secondly, I agree with many others who say that Joan did the best with what she could, even though she maybe shouldn't have been a mother. She still loved her kids despite what she did to them, and when they disregarded (or when she _felt_ they disregarded) what she asked of them, whether wrong or right, she punished them as any parent would do (although she apparently went a little overboard at times). The scene where she beat Tina in the mother-daughter pool race, and she said "No one ever said life was fair Tina..." was a good lesson. Tina threw a fit about it, and Joan didn't stand for it, as no parent would. It appears that Tina chose to be angry at her mother for the discipline she often gave her, which was her problem, not Joan's. I used to do the same regarding my mother, and am learning it's a choice and I need to build a bridge and get over it.
OK, there goes the succinctness, darnit! :-) Third, Christina was angry at her mom and in what I see as another little-girl fit (sorry but that's just how I see it), made the book and movie to get back at her mom, who was deceased and couldn't even defend herself. Well guess what?: My mom was a single parent, and verbally and physically abused me also, also with the intentions of being a good parent and doing the best she could (and had a lot of the same issues Joan did), and has said just that to me. I've learned therefore to forgive her, due to that reason, just as Christina & anyone like her would be recommended to do (hopefully Christopher did also). It has freed me from a lot.
However good or bad this movie was, and whatever the circumstances surrounding it and its actors are, I will say that I am realizing that Joan was one tough b***h, didn't take any crud from anyone, and was a strong woman who did what she could with what she had. Anyone who deals with lack of self-respect or cowardice (including myself) would do good to use her determination as an example.
In spite of the over the top acting and blown-out-of-proportion way the incidents are depicted, I have found myself laughing like anyone else at several of the movies moments, namely during the hangers scene where she shakes the hanger in front of herself and says "Why?! Why?!" LOL You also can't go without mentioning, "Helga...When you polish the floor you have to move the tree!" LOL!
Sorry for the rant guys and gals; hope it was worth something to somebody!
Movie Review: "Best Movie Ever Made!"
Summary: 5 Stars
Probably the greatest biographical film ever made, "Mommie Dearest" holds a place in American pop culture not only as a film classic but a movie people still talk about nearly 26 years after its initial release. No matter what you think of it the film comes across as an absorbing drama that pulls the lid of Hollywood's elite. The film basically ruined Joan Crawford's image as a beautiful, articulate, hard working actress and Faye Dunaway's career has never been the same. Most know the whole story...it's excellent. So I'll go into detail about the DVD. Film is beautifully restored with a ton of bonus features including the trailer, picture gallery with still shots not seen in the film ,and a behind the scenes making of the film. A must for any Hollywood film buff!