Mommie Dearest Was A Narcissist

Mommie Dearest: One of my childhood favorite movies.

The Mother In Mommie Dearest, Joan Crawford played by Faye Dunaway, was undeniably a Narcissist.

I remember telling my therapist that the movie Mommie Dearest was one of my favorite childhood movies and I would watch it over and over again as a child. I noticed she grimaced when I told her this, she commented, “it was sad that Mommie Dearest was my favorite childhood movie”.

I related to Christina, the daughter of Joan Crawford and her abusive situation with her Mommie.  I remember thinking to myself as a child, if only the little girl could be better her Mom would not get upset with her and beat her. I was drawn to this film because the mood swings and unpredictability of Joan Crawford was what I was used to as a child. It somehow felt comforting to see some semblance of my life on the big screen.

I could not relate to the 1980’s sitcoms, they seemed like a fantasy and did not resemble anything my home looked like. So naturally I was attracted to the film Mommie Dearest because it was mirroring what I was living in my own house or horrors with a Narcissistic Mother.

Thank you for reading,

Bren Worthington

Movie Plot

“Mommie Dearest” is a 1981 film adapted from the 1978 memoir of the same name by Christina Crawford. The story is a portrayal of the tumultuous relationship between Christina and her adoptive mother, legendary Hollywood actress Joan Crawford.

Here’s a brief summary of the plot:

1. Introduction to Joan Crawford: The film begins with Joan Crawford’s early mornings, which includes her rigorous beauty regimen. The viewer is introduced to her perfectionist nature and her desperate need to maintain her stardom, even as her career starts to decline.
2. Adoption: Unable to have children of her own, Joan adopts Christina (and later a boy named Christopher). Initially, it seems that Joan is trying to provide a loving home, but it quickly becomes clear that her motivations are more about maintaining a public image.
3. Abuse and Control: As Christina grows up, Joan’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and abusive. Famous scenes from the film include the “No wire hangers!” tantrum and the choking scene after a swimming race. Joan’s obsession with cleanliness, perfection, and control often leads to physical and emotional abuse of her children.
4. Hollywood Backdrop: Throughout the story, the backdrop of Hollywood’s Golden Age is ever-present. Joan’s declining career and her subsequent attempts to revive it play a central role in the narrative. Her relationships with studio executives, agents, and fellow actors provide a glimpse into the machinations of the entertainment industry during that era.
5. Christina’s Perspective: The story is told from Christina’s perspective, highlighting her experiences growing up with an abusive, narcissistic mother in the public eye. As Christina becomes an adult, she tries to establish her own acting career, only to be thwarted by her mother’s interference and overshadowed by her legacy.
6. Conclusion: The film ends with Joan’s death, after which Christina and her brother discover that they have been disinherited. Despite the years of abuse and the bitter relationship, the ending is poignant, underscoring the complex emotions and trauma associated with their upbringing.

The film is controversial, with some believing it to be an exaggerated account, while others see it as a truthful portrayal of the darker side of a Hollywood legend. Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of Joan Crawford is particularly notable and has become iconic in its own right.