Mommie Dearest | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Frank Perry |
Screenplay by |
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Based on | Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford |
Produced by | Frank Yablans |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Paul Lohmann |
Edited by | Peter E. Berger |
Music by | Henry Mancini |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 129 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $10 million[2] |
Box office | $25 million[3] |
Mommie Dearest is a 1981 American biographical psychological drama[4] film directed by Frank Perry and starring Faye Dunaway, Steve Forrest, Mara Hobel, and Diana Scarwid, with supporting performances from Xander Berkeley in his feature film debut along with Rutanya Alda and Jocelyn Brando. Adapted from Christina Crawford's 1978 autobiography of the same name, the film follows her and her brother Christopher's upbringing under their adoptive mother, actress Joan Crawford, depicting her as abusive, controlling, and manipulative, prioritizing her Hollywood career over her family.
The executive producers were Christina's husband, David Koontz, and Terry O'Neill, Dunaway's then-boyfriend and soon-to-be husband. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures, the only one of the Big Eight film studios for which Crawford had never appeared in a feature film.
Released in September 1981, Mommie Dearest swiftly garnered a reputation among audiences for its highly-charged performances and melodramatic style, leading Paramount to retool their marketing campaign, presenting the film as an unintentional comedy despite its dark subject matter.[5] The film underperformed at the box office, grossing $25 million internationally against a $10 million budget. Crawford's family also condemned the film for portraying Joan as more abusive than Christina alleged in her original book, with some family members disputing whether abuse occurred at all.[2] Despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics, the film's perceived bizarre script and performances, particularly Dunaway's, have brought a cult following to the film.[6]
Often considered to be one of the worst films ever made, it was nominated for nine Razzies at the 2nd Golden Raspberry Awards, and won five, including Worst Picture and Worst Actress for Faye Dunaway.[7]
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