Mommie Dearest (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Rating: PG
Film: 3.5/5
 
Plot
Based on Christina Crawford’s controversial best-selling tell-all novel, MOMMMIE 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.
 
My Thoughts
This is a film that I have heard about over the years but never took the time to watch until now. It’s based on the first “tell all” book of a Hollywood celebrity that opened the flood gates of behind-the-scenes look at famous people’s lives that they had rather been kept out of the public square.
 
In the 1940s, Joan Crawford was one of the most famous actresses of her generation and was a household name. According to her eldest adopted daughter, Crawford was an abusive alcoholic who tormented her, and her brother’s lives and would have been put in jail in today’s times. Needless to say, this is a tough movie to watch. Crawford is not portrayed kindly in any way, shape or form and while the acting was very good on the part of Dunaway, it’s not something I could watch again. Christina’s youngest siblings completely disavow her memory of her adoptive mother and have openly called her a liar, but if half of what’s presented here is true, then Crawford was a torturous monster.
 
This is move 17 in the Paramount Presents series and like the other films, it has received the A-list treatment from the studio sporting a new 4K film transfer that’s downscaled to 1080p. The photography is a bit soft—probably intentionally so to fit the time period—but for the most part looks pretty damn good. The audio track is DTS-HD MA 5.1, but you’d be hard pressed to know it since the surround activity isn’t very active. Dialog is intelligible and firmly rooted in the center speaker and the front soundstage is where 99% of the movie takes place.
 
Video 4/5
 
Audio 4/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Commentary by John Waters
• The Revival of Joan
• Life with Joan
• Joan Lives On
• Photo Gallery
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Digital Copy

 

 
 
Conclusion
This ended up being one of the most disturbing movie experiences I’ve had in a long time. When the movie arrived from the studio it included a wire hanger, and I didn’t understand the reference until seeing the film. Needless to say, I’ll never look at that type of hanger the same way ever again. I don’t know whether this is a true story or just a revisionist history from a bitter child, but it does work as a feature film and has some strong performances—just be sure to pop a Prozac before you hit the play button, it’s extremely depressing. Recommended for fans.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

Omg. I can’t believe they sent a wire hangar.