| Mommie Dearest (Special Collector's Edition) | 
 enlarge | Director: Frank Perry
Actors: Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Steve Forrest, Howard Da Silva, Mara Hobel
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $12.99
Buy Used: $4.38
You Save: $8.61 (66%)
New (44) Used (28) Collectible (2) from $4.38
Avg. Customer Rating:  230 reviews
Sales Rank: 4814
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: Portuguese (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 128
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: PARD042084D
UPC: 097360420845
EAN: 0097360420845
ASIN: B000ERVJK4
Theatrical Release Date: September 18, 1981
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Case contains damage.
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Amazon.com
The movie that made "No wire hangers!" a household phrase, Mommie Dearest is the very model of a modern "camp classic," so crazily outlandish that it's fascinating. Based on the scathing and scandalous tell-all bestseller by Christina Crawford, the adopted daughter of histrionic Hollywood movie queen Joan Crawford, Mommie Dearest was billed in advance as a serious dramatic motion-picture biography. But it turned out to be something much, much weirder--a genuine Hollywood oddity that serves up a bizarre mixture of melodramatic trash and outrageous tragi-comedy. Joan Crawford won an Oscar for playing the role of the self-sacrificing mother, the woman who would do anything for her daughter, in Mildred Pierce. As depicted by Faye Dunaway (playing the hell out of the role as if she's determined to win another Oscar of her own, damn it!), her role as offscreen parent puts her in a league with big-time scary screen mommies such as Mrs. Bates in Psycho, and Angela Lansbury's ueber-mom in The Manchurian Candidate. Dunaway's Crawford torments and terrorizes her adopted children in myriad ways--making them give away their own birthday gifts and rousting them from their beds for frantic after-midnight bathroom-scrubbing attacks. And when, after the death of her Pepsico chairman husband, Crawford tells the board of directors, "Don't f--- with me, fellas!" one is very much inclined to heed her warning. --Jim Emerson
Product Description
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 01/16/2007 Rating: Pg
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| Customer Reviews: Read 225 more reviews...
 Without Dunaway this mind-numbing debacle would warrant no respect at all... October 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Okay, so I'm not here to debate whether or not Christina Crawford's memoir was accurate or not, or whether or not this movie portrays Crawford in a light worthy of her because I never knew her and so I cannot judge. I hear people defend this film and its interpretation of the screen legend, and then I hear people ambush this film as if it were a production of the antichrist.
Fact remains that the film, regardless of authentic merit, is really bad.
That isn't to say that it isn't entertaining, for if I said that I'd be lying; but the film is far from a great movie. It is a camp classic, but the sad part is that that was not the films initial intent. No, this was supposed to be a dramatic representation of child abuse, and instead it became a nightmarish comedy. Every scene is over-the-top as is every performance. Honestly, it's only Faye Dunaway who walks away from this movie with her dignity (although I doubt she sees it that way) for her campy and outrageous performance is genuinely wonderful.
Forget the Razzie, I seriously would have nominated her for Oscar.
The film chronicles the tormented lives of young Christina and Christopher Crawford, the adopted children of Hollywood royalty, Joan Crawford. The early years were wonderful for Christina, but soon after the adoption of Christopher things began to change and Christina's life became one of fear and suffering. She was abused mentally, physically an emotionally. She was shipped off to a boarding school where her tyrannical mother continued to control her. She was used and manipulated and lied to and through it all she stood by her mother until her death, where Christina found out she was left with nothing.
Like I said, I'm not sure how much of this `horror' story is actually true, but whatever.
The film goes to great lengths to create conflict with every scene. Even the simplest of moments are flooded with outbursts or agitation. I don't think there is a single scene where a shady glance is not delivered or a harsh word is not spoken or an unnerving moment of manipulation is not displayed. This is one of the reasons the film is dreadfully mediocre, for it doesn't understand how to create a reality out of reality. It goes so far over-the-top, browbeating the audience with atrocities that even the actual events come off as a farce.
The acting is also a very sore spot. Diana Scarwid is terrible, as is Rutanya Alda and even young Mara Hobel. I tell you, only Dunaway understood how to work with the eccentricities. She's outlandish and over-the-top and campy as all get out but in a very deliberate and articulate way. She knew how to make a very unbelievable tyrant watchable and ultimately believable. Any other actress may have tanked this entire film and really cast it into obscurity, but thanks to Dunaway's inspired turn, this rather forgettable misstep became a camp classic that many adore to this day. The film as a whole may be a high D, but Dunaway herself is a solid A.
 Dunaway Is As Good As Brando Ever Was July 8, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I don't know if this review will reach anyone. Hopefully someone. This dvd is a must for anyone who has seen this film and loved it or anyone who wants to see it. Also an excellent way to learn more about Joan Crawfod and more importantly, Faye Dunaway.
Dunaway disowns this part and I think I get why. The part took its toll on her emotionally and is, in my opinion, one of the greatest screen performances ever on film. And what did this gifted actress get in return? Bad reviews, jokes and a "cult" film on her behalf. Come on, I wouldn't really want to talk about it either.
Dunaway did take the time to express some feelings in her book Looking For Gatsby. So I would appreciate it if all you reviewers on amazon who trashed this film or (God help us) Dunaway herself, to read about the time and effort she put into this performance and how she did it. I'm sorry but i'm tired of people laughing at this movie and not taking it seriously. You can't throw descriptions like "over the top" at this woman because you lack perspective and appreciation of talent.
No one ever tore apart: Al Pacino in Scarface, Marlon Brando in the Godfather/Last Tango in Paris or Anthony Hopkins in Scilence of the Lambs (Hopkins,by the way,felt that her portrayal of Crawford is one of the best performances of all time). But when a woman dares to even come close to Marlon Brando's talent, people make fun of her. Also, Dunaway has made some other incredible films, i can't list them, it would take too long. Check out 3 Days of the Condor. She had to play second fiddle to Robert Redford and stole the show with a touching, sad and heartfelt character. Simply put,stop with the disrespectful reviews.
Now, this dvd did an incredible job with the extras. The commentarty with John Waters is hysterical but also very informative and touching in a way. The interviews with Diana Scarwid, Runalta Alda and Frank Yablins gives us even more information, gossip, background stories that help us understand the film and how it was made.
I hope this helps people who are interested in the dvd or are fans of Ms. Dunaway. The second reviewer of this dvd wanted to defend Crawford and I wanted to defend Ms. Dunaway. You can't defend one and not the other.
Dramatic, Intense May 23, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Mommie Dearest protrays the life of Christina Crawford who was adopted by Joan Crawford. Joan had mental problems I guess, because there are scenes where she makes Tina eat blood red raw meat, swim from one end of the swimming pool to the other several times, and the most dramatic of all.. the infamous clothes hanger beating. And then sends her to a boarding school for years! Then leaves her Nothing in her will. Why did Joan treat her daughter so harshly? And I think Tina probbally hated her mother because there is a scene where they actually fight! I saw this movie years ago, and read the book and did a book report on it.A word of Warning, Please Dont let young chirldren view this movie, Its INTENSE, &DRAMATIC! Watch if your interested on Joan Crawford, or Tina.
Why Can't You Give Me The Respect I'm Entitled To!!! April 25, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I sat in a movie theater watching in wide-eyed wonder at the image of Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford and I knew I was in for a treat! And Boy,did Faye deliver! She was always a bit over the top with directors that didn't know how to handle her(much like Crawford herself) but I wasn't ready for the spectacle I was about to witness! And I howled with laughter and loved her for it! Yes, Crawford would not likely be voted,"Mother Of The Year" but the image of Faye,dressed in black and her face covered in cold cream and a slash of red lipstick is nothing less than a camp nightmare as she stalks about,ripping clothes from the dreaded wire hangers,he face a Kabuki mask of torment! Faye took her place as a Camp Maddonna with this performance and,if you dare,watch it more than once,even twice. Diana Scarwid is much better in the role of Christina than people give her credit for. Faye plays Joan like high opera and Diana wisely underplays,giving her line reading a gravity that other actresses would have been too cowed to attempt. And, now,The Special Collector's Edition! This is a must-have for so many reasons!
Credit where due, Blame where due April 20, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Film is considered a director's medium, right? Then the praise or blame for this film belongs primarily to
Frank Perry, a respected director who filmed such classics as "David and Lisa." Secondly, the praise for this
movie should be given primarily to Faye Dunaway, whose fearless, bravura performance lifts it above the
director/producer/writers, who let he down.
Frank Perry and the producer Frank Yablans have first writing credit on the film, and so they should get the
lion's share of praise or blame. Tracey Hotchner and Robert Getchell, who are credited third and fourh, should
come in for lesser shares of praise or blame.
So. Whatever you think of the film, set your sights on these names: Frank Perry, the director, who is primarily
responsible for he film. Frank Yablans, the producer, who chose the writers and the director. And the
four writers. Frank Perry (the director), Frank Yablans (the producer), and the four writers, (Frank Perry,
Frank Yablans, Tracey Hotchner, and Robert Getchell). These are the people to praise and blame. Along, of
course, with the fabulous Faye.
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