The Video
Mommie Dearest is taken from a new 4K film transfer and brought to Blu-ray in a 1.85:1 AVC 1080p encodement. The 1981 film looks delicious in this new restoration, with a fine layer of grain, spot-on flesh tones, and vibrant colors. Dunaway’s red lipstick really ‘pops,’ and the shimmering silver evening gown has lots of sparkle.
The Audio
Mommie Dearest has both an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix and a restored lossy Dolby Digital track of its original monaural mix. The 5.1 is good, but subtle. It does bring a little more clarity and fullness to the sound but adds only the subtlest atmospherics to the surrounds. It does manage to liven up the sound of the Henry Mancini score and make it sound airier and more dynamic, however. The mono track is serviceable with intelligible dialogue and certainly the more authentic experience of the two.
The Supplements
The John Waters commentary and the Filmmaker Focus are great starting points for intros to this film.
- Commentary by American Drag Queen Hedda Lettuce
- Commentary by John Waters
- Filmmaker Focus: Biographer Justin Bozung on Director Frank Perry (1080p; 00:07:01)
- The Revival of Joan (SD; 00:14:15)
- Life with Joan (SD; 00:13:44)
- Joan Lives On (SD; 00:16:05)
- Photo Gallery (SD; 00:02:50)
- Original Theatrical Trailer (SD; 00:04:10)
- Collectible packaging features foldout slipcase with original theatrical poster art and inlay with key scenes from the film.
The Final Assessment
This is a popcorn film with endless quotes that is meant as serious filmmaking, but you can’t help laughing at the craziness. Paramount have done a wonderful job restoring this cult classic.
Mommie Dearest is out on Blu-ray June 1, 2021 from Paramount
- Rating Certificate: PG
- Studios & Distributors: Paramount Pictures | Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment
- Director: Frank Perry
- Written By: Christina Crawford (book) | Frank Yablans (screenplay) | Frank Perry (screenplay) | Tracy Hotchner (screenplay) | Robert Getchell (screenplay)
- Run Time: 128 Mins.
- Street Date: 1 June 2021
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Video Format: AVC 1080p
- Primary Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
- Secondary Audio: English Restored Mono DD | German DD Mono | French DD Mono
- Subtitles: English | English SDH | German | French
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