|
Mommie Dearest, directed by Frank Perry, co-written by Perry, Robert Getchell, Tracy Hotchner and producer Frank Yablans, based on Christina Crawford's autobiography detailing her abusive childhood as the adopted daughter of actress Joan Crawford, opens to scathing reviews. As the ageing, neurotic movie star who turns her child’s formative years into a living hell of abuse and subjugation, Faye Dunaway weighs in with a sustained, bat-shit crazy, over the top, scenery chewing performance that leaves critics slack-jawed and audiences rolling in the aisles. Despite winning a Golden Raspberry Award, the film is a huge commercial success putting it on par with some of Crawford’s own camp classics such as Female On The Beach and Beserk!
