Mommie Dearest (1981): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Mommie Dearest is a 1981 biographical drama directed by Frank Perry, starring Faye Dunaway and Diana Scarwid. It is based on Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $19 million worldwide. Critics gave it 49% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 9m (129 min)
- Director
- Frank Perry
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- Based on
- Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Mommie Dearest About?
The premise of Mommie Dearest without spoilers, adapted from Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This film explores the complex and often difficult life of legendary actress Joan Crawford, portrayed by Faye Dunaway. The story follows Crawford as she adopts two children, hoping to build a loving family. However, as her personal and professional life faces setbacks, her relationship with her daughter Christina, played by Diana Scarwid, deteriorates into a cycle of control and emotional abuse. The narrative culminates in a painful struggle for Christina’s independence and a revealing look at the darker side of Hollywood fame.
Mommie Dearest Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- bad mother
- abusive mother
- child abuse
- domineering mother
- narcissism
- borderline personality disorder
- wire hanger
- abusive woman
- narcissistic woman
- famous line
- verbal abuse
- hysterical outburst
+38 more Show fewer
- emotionally abusive woman
- emotionally abusive mother
- actress
- adoption
- based on memoir
- based on autobiography
- female protagonist
- self centeredness
- mother versus daughter
- alcoholism
- dysfunctional family
- strangulation
- single mother
- axe
- mother daughter relationship
- based on book
- narcissist
- sadistic cruelty
- assaulting someone
- assault
- psychological horror
- mother daughter abuse
- woman with anger issues
- abuse
- mansion
- coat hanger
- strict mother
- bad temper
- pepsi cola
- abusive parent
- beating
- self aggrandizement
- adoptive mother adopted son relationship
- adoptive mother adopted daughter relationship
- childhood memory
- ego
- stepfather stepdaughter relationship
- spanking
Mommie Dearest Cast
Faye Dunaway leads the cast, with Diana Scarwid. Directed by Frank Perry.
- Director Frank Perry
Mommie Dearest Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Mommie Dearest 49% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 49% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 72%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 55 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB
Mommie Dearest Plot Summary
What happens in Mommie Dearest from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
At the start of the film, we encounter Joan Crawford, portrayed by the talented Faye Dunaway, as she rises before dawn to begin her day at MGM Studios. Her morning routine is revealing of her obsessive nature; she vigorously scrubs her face with hot soap and then immerses it in icy alcohol to close her pores. This obsession with cleanliness extends to everyone around her. When a new maid believes she has cleaned Joan’s living room to perfection, Joan spots a minor oversight and loses her temper, showcasing her intimidating presence, which also extends to her new live-in personal assistant, Carol-Ann.
Full summary
The whole story of Mommie Dearest, scene by scene
Mommie Dearest Box Office
Mommie Dearest grossed $19 million worldwide. $19 million came from the US and Canada and $97 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$19M
- US & Canada
- $19M
- International
- $97
Mommie Dearest Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Mommie Dearest (1981) Trailer
How Well Do You Know Mommie Dearest?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who played the role of Joan Crawford in 'Mommie Dearest'?
Cars in Mommie Dearest
10 cars on screen, including the 1938 Cadillac Series 65 and the 1947 Lincoln Continental.
-
1938 Cadillac Series 65 Important role -
1947 Lincoln Continental Important role -
1952 Pontiac Chieftain De Luxe Station Wagon Important role -
1956 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role
Mommie Dearest Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “Mammina cara” and “Meine liebe Rabenmutter”.
- Also known as
-
- Mammina cara
- Meine liebe Rabenmutter
- Maman très chère
- Queridísima mamá
- 亲爱的妈咪
- 존경하는 어머니
- Najdroższa mamusia
- 愛と憎しみの伝説
- Mamãezinha Querida
- Дорогая мамочка
- Mamita querida
- Canım Annem
+2 more Show fewer
- ... mamička najdrahšia
- Anyu a sztár
Seen Mommie Dearest?
Movies Like Mommie Dearest
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Mommie Dearest: Joan Lives On, Mommy and Mommy Dead and Dearest.
Mommie Dearest FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Mommie Dearest, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Mommie Dearest?
Mommie Dearest runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).
When was Mommie Dearest released?
Mommie Dearest was released on September 25, 1981.
Who directed Mommie Dearest?
Mommie Dearest was directed by Frank Perry.
More films by Frank Perry Who is in the cast of Mommie Dearest?
Mommie Dearest stars Faye Dunaway and Diana Scarwid.
How much did Mommie Dearest make at the box office?
Mommie Dearest grossed $19 million worldwide ($19 million domestic, $97 international).
How is Mommie Dearest rated?
Mommie Dearest has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.
Is Mommie Dearest based on a book?
Yes. Mommie Dearest is adapted from Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford.
Does Mommie Dearest have a post-credit scene?
No. Mommie Dearest has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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