Faye Dunaway gives a startling, ferocious performance in Mommie Dearest. It’s deeper than an impersonation; she turns herself into Joan Crawford, all right, but she’s more Faye Dunaway than ever.

There is nothing to sympathize with but the sets, which get far too many drinks spilled on them.

Lacking psychological intelligence or, for that matter, awareness of Hollywood sociology, Mommie Dearest is just a collection of screechy scenes further distanced by convictionless direction.

Alternating between high camp, lurid melodrama and genuine drama, Mommie Dearest varies wildly in tone. Dunaway is doing incredible work, though there's a saggy middle stretch that confirms the film doesn't need to be so long.