These days, Oscar-winning actresses damage their careers propping up uncertain fan-boy franchises for big paycheques (Catwoman, Aeon Flux). Thirty years ago, Faye Dunaway followed her iconic performance in the film classic Network by tackling a different kind of high-wire act playing Hollywood royalty Joan Crawford in the infamous adaptation of her adopted daughter Christinas shocking tell-all, Mommie Dearest. In addition to being a remarkable performer, Crawford was the original diva a neurotic control freak who browbeat her children mercilessly while manipulating them to forward her career. Dunaway, for her part apparently no stranger to diva-like antics, takes the most over-the-top aspects of Crawfords life and turns them up to 11. Mommie Dearest contains a raft of classic camp moments involving wire hangers, rose gardens and bathroom floors; its reputation now rests entirely on the cult audience (notably amongst gay men) who revel in every Dunaway eye-roll and shrill shriek. This Hollywood Royalty edition plays both sides, trying to honour the film as a well constructed box office hit (lambasted by critics); at the same time, one featurette includes a drag Joan Crawford impersonator. The fact that John Waters provides a commentary is the flip side, embracing the film for all its ironic/iconic status. Waters doesnt consider it camp; hes a fan and praises Dunaways unusual performance choices, even as he characterises it as "the first drag queen role performed by a woman. Crawford treated her children brutally; this film treats Crawford shockingly; the direction, script, costuming, hair and, particularly, writing and casting are pretty consistently the wrong choices; and Faye Dunaway has disowned the film and refuses to talk about it. (Even Waters hasnt dared bring it up to her and theyre friends!) In other words, you couldnt find a more entertaining package. Plus: featurettes, original trailer. (Paramount)
Mommie Dearest: Hollywood Royalty Edition
Frank Perry
BY James KeastPublished Jun 1, 2006