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Trust Weighted
OK
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71Trust Points
Wick's Review
Summary - OK 2.5
There’s no business like show business, and none more cruel in the wake of early success. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? stands as a cautionary tale. A classic movie that pairs big stars from Hollywood’s Golden Age, it stands now as a borderline laughable antique. Like its stars, it hasn’t aged well.
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford famously didn’t like each other, yet got late career boosts playing criminally dysfunctional sisters: Davis as the Baby Jane of the title, a onetime child star whose soul was corrupted by her prepubescent fame; Crawford as her older sister, who became a movie star after Jane’s career ended.
Locked in a passive-aggressive relationship that descends into active aggression, the two spinsters take turns engaging in batty behavior.
Not recommended except for fans of psychological thrillers and classic Hollywood, or of fallen stars.
Speaking of fallen stars, a remake starring Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox would have potential…
Acting - Very Good 3.5
Bette Davis’ brave performance as a consummately unattractive spinster deserves admiration if not appreciation. In a career known for unsympathetic characters, Baby Jane Hudson is a topper.
Joan Crawford is less impressive as the put-upon sister.
Victor Buono is oddly compelling in his first movie role. Fans of a certain age will recognize him as King Tut from the Adam West Batman series.
Male Stars - OK 2.5
Female Stars - Really Great 4.5
Female Costars - Good 3.0
Male Costars - Very Good 3.5
Film - OK 2.5
Though set in the early sixties, the film feels older, in part because of being in black & white. B&W can impart a timelessness when properly wielded. Here it just seems tired.
The use of the Baby Jane doll from Baby Jane’s childhood? Brilliant.
Direction - Good 3.0
Dialogue - OK 2.5
Music - OK 2.5
Visuals - OK 2.5
Edge - Risqué 1.8
Sex Innocent 1.0
Violence Fierce 2.5
Rudeness Salty 2.0
Reality - Glib 1.8
Circumstantial - Glib 1.8
Biological - Surreal 2.1
Physical - Glib 1.5
5 Comments
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Wick Apr 11, 2012 11:40PM
Regarding Wick’s Review
Yeah, it just didn’t hold up for me, classic though it may be. About that remake though… -
BrianSez Apr 11, 2012 7:41AM
Regarding Wick’s Review
Wow – a controversial OK rating from Wick…. loved the comment " a remake starring Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox would have potential" – indeed it would! -
BrianSez Dec 11, 2011 1:19PM
Regarding BigdaddyDave’s Review
I remember seeing this movie as a teenager. It had a lasting impact. -
BigdaddyDave Dec 11, 2011 11:22AM
Regarding BigdaddyDave’s Review
I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. You’ll also enjoy reading online some of the anecdotal stories of friction between the two divas. Knowing all the high jinx between these two made this film all the more appealing. -
Wick Dec 11, 2011 11:00AM
Regarding BigdaddyDave’s Review
Wow, great recommendation of a classic BigD. Just put it on my GottaViewList.“One can only imagine the effort needed to keep both real-life divas from hurting each other.” Indeed.