_**Surprisingly good, sometimes great, and more balanced than its reputation**_ The movie details the life of Joan Crawford (played by Faye Dunaway) from 1939 until her death in 1977. The focus is on her complicated relationship with her adopted daughter Christina (portrayed by Mara Hobel & Diana Scarwid). “Mommie Dearest” (1981) has been called ‘controversial’ because it presents what the filmmakers claim to be a revealing look at a Hollywood legend, based on accounts from Joan's first two adopted children, Christina and Christopher. While younger sisters Cindy and Cathy dispute claims of severe abuse – acknowledging that their mother was strict – they were very young when Christina experienced these events and may not have been aware of what occurred. It’s also worth noting that Joan’s approach to parenting evolved as she raised her older children, leading to a different style with Cindy and Cathy. The film isn't campy or unintentionally humorous; it's a dramatic biopic covering the last 38 years of Joan Crawford's life, particularly concentrating on the 1940s and 50s. It offers a glimpse into what happened behind the scenes in Hollywood during that era, showing Joan’s struggles with romance, maintaining her career success, aging, financial difficulties, sexism, and raising children. Although Gene Siskel gave it a rating of 2.5 out of 4, both he and Ebert found the movie overly depressing. However, this perspective doesn't capture the full picture; while certain scenes are disturbing, like those involving the wire hanger and choking, there’s much more to the film than just Joan being an abusive parent. The movie takes a surprisingly evenhanded approach to its subject, showing both the good and the bad aspects of her personality, not just the negative ones. Near the end of the story, it becomes clear that there was genuine affection between Christina and Joan. The ending, which I won’t reveal, nevertheless underscores Joan's belief in self-made success, arguing that it builds character rather than relying on handouts. Perhaps she thought she was doing Christina and Christopher a favor by encouraging them to succeed independently. Some critics, including Siskel & Ebert, felt the film failed to explain Joan’s behavior toward Christina (and Christopher), but I think it's clear if you pay attention. She was controlling and a perfectionist, and seemed to develop a competitive spirit with her daughter, as seen in scenes at the pool and during a soap opera episode. Faye Dunaway has said she blamed the director for allowing her performance to go too far in those extreme moments of mistreatment. While these scenes might be slightly exaggerated, that's common practice in biopics to heighten drama. For example, it’s unlikely William Wallace really rode a horse into a Baron's bedroom as depicted in "Braveheart" (1995). Nevertheless, I found those intense scenes believable. Everyone has moments of emotional outbursts within their family, and this film simply portrays that on a larger scale, given Joan Crawford’s demanding career. Dunaway was perfectly cast and should not feel ashamed of her work. Critic Pauline Kael correctly described her performance as "startling" and “ferocious.” The movie was also a financial success at the box office and has since become a cult classic. It's unfortunate that some people felt it was inappropriate to criticize such an iconic figure, suggesting they were unwilling to accept the truth. The film runs 2 hours and 9 minutes and was filmed entirely in the Los Angeles area. GRADE: A-

Source on TMDB