Mommie Dearest

“The endlessly quotable cult-classic celebrates 40 years with this debut on Blu-ray, restored from a new 4k film transfer and packed with special features. Based on Christina Crawford’s controversial best-selling tell-all novel, MOMMIE DEAREST features a powerhouse performance by Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, struggling for her career while battling the inner demons of her private life. While the public Crawford was a strong-willed, glamorous object of admiration, behind the scenes is a private Crawford – the woman desperate to be a single mother and trying to survive in a devastating industry that swallows careers thoughtlessly.”

Paramount continues to release some great films on its Paramount Presents Collection, the 17^th film in its line being Mommie Dearest for the first time on Blu-ray, offering a superb film transfer and several new extras making this an absolute must for fans of the film, or first timers.

The film follows a portion of the life of Joan Crawford, Hollywood royalty, in the later stages of her life when she decides to adopt children. The validity of the story told by her adopted daughter Christina is up for debate depending on who you ask, but regardless it paints a chilling picture of Joan Crawford’s personal life when she was not in the public eye. 40 years later, the film has received a fair amount of criticism, even from the author, for the overtly dramatized performance of Faye Dunaway, but still manages to have a large cult following despite its inconsistencies or exaggerations of the truth. Perhaps the most interesting challenge the movie gives you is to navigate the film and put everything you may believe is true or isn’t aside and take it for what it is. If these were entirely made-up characters, I’ve no doubt it would have been heralded as groundbreaking with a phenomenal female performance, but the stigma at the time to turn a blind eye to the personal affairs of people of status prevents such an unbiased opinion of the film. How things have changed today, where even the accusation of something far lesser can ruin lives and careers.

When looking at Mommie Dearest with this in mind, witnessing the brutal abuse and emotional torture this girl grew up with, it’s absolutely horrifying. Roger Ebert’s initial review of the film described it as “unremittingly depressing” and questions why anyone would want to subject themselves to that. While I agree it’s undoubtedly depressing, pretending that things like this don’t happen can only enable it to happen further. Regardless of the authenticity of the events, or the sometimes absurd over-the-top actions of the main character, there is something seriously wrong with her, a disease exacerbated by drinking and the pressures of keeping up appearances for the sake of her livelihood, which growing up with nothing, clearly seems very important to her. Watching this character devolve mentally and emotionally is chilling and equally heartbreaking. There may not be much in terms of hope in this film, but that’s life, and no one knows this better than the author of the subject material, Christina Crawford.

While even Dunaway herself criticizes the choice of the exaggerated portrayal of Joan Crawford, it’s exactly the reason why this film has found a cult following and is still being discussed 40 years later. I for one, think it’s brilliant, and again, setting aside the fact that it’s based on a well-known actress, it’s a performance that is very effecting at delivering a haunting story. The outburst regarding wire hangers, the cutting down of her rose garden in the middle of the night, these are all very sensationalized sequences, but they call attention to the abuse in a big way. Christina Crawford herself says that during the time there were no laws or terms to describe what was happening in their household, and perhaps now, that stories such as this that sensationalize and exaggerate certain aspects, society has finally paid attention and put things into place to try and prevent abuse such as this from happening.

Video

Mommie Dearest is presented in 1080p High-Definition Widescreen 1.85:1 featuring a brand new 4k film transfer. Paramount has done an excellent job with this new transfer. The picture is very clear and detailed, keeping grain at a consistent level throughout. Colors are well balanced, with flesh tones particularly seeming very natural. There is a stark contrast in some portions of the film with the very natural, bright lighting, especially in the first half of the film when Joan Crawford is at her best. The film gets progressively darker, not just in tone, but the overall lighting and design as well. The new transfer handles this transition well, keeping a detailed and clean look throughout.

Audio

The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. This track offers a very full and rich experience to go with the new film transfer. The majority of the film will be heard through dialogue, and the levels from the surrounds and center channel are exceptional, ensuring the dialogue is clear and concise throughout. The surrounds are utilized when they can be, for atmospheric effects and the score, overall adding to a great experience.

Special Features

This set, from the Paramount Presents line, features the same slip-cover that opens to reveal the movie poster. Some interesting new extras on the disc, as well as previously released bonus content.

• Commentary by American drag queen Hedda Lettuce – NEW
• Filmmaker Focus: Biographer Justin Bozung on director Frank Perry – NEW
• Commentary by filmmaker John Waters
• The Revival of Joan
• Life with Joan
• Joan Lives On
• Photo Gallery
• Original Theatrical Trailer

Another great addition to the Paramount Presents line, offering many of these films new life on Blu-ray for the first time. Mommie Dearest can be tough to watch at times, but the reactions from audiences is what has kept the film relevant for 40 years. Definitely worth picking up if you’re a fan of the film, or a first-time viewer.