Mommie Dearest (1981) Ending Explained
tl;dr: The ending of Mommie Dearest (1981) depicts the final breakdown of Joan Crawford's (Faye Dunaway) relationship with her adopted daughter Christina, culminating in Christina's decision to sever ties with her abusive mother. The film closes with Joan's death and Christina's symbolic act of discarding her mother's possessions, representing her liberation from Joan's toxic legacy. The ending underscores the cyclical nature of abuse and the protagonist's hard-won independence, leaving viewers to ponder the cost of fame, perfectionism, and maternal cruelty.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The final act of Mommie Dearest builds toward the irreversible rupture between Joan Crawford and Christina. After years of emotional and physical abuse-epitomized by iconic scenes like the "wire hangers" outburst - Christina (played by Diana Scarwid) reaches her breaking point. The climax occurs when Joan, now an aging and increasingly isolated figure, disinherits Christina in her will, publicly humiliating her by leaving her nothing while bequeathing money to charities and other siblings. This final betrayal crystallizes Christina's resolve to cut Joan out of her life entirely. The film then jumps to Joan's deathbed, where Christina refuses to visit her, symbolizing her emotional emancipation. The closing scene shows Christina tossing Joan's personal items into a trash bin, a visceral rejection of her mother's oppressive influence.
Symbolism and Themes:
The ending reinforces the film's central themes of control, vanity, and the destructive pursuit of perfection. Joan's demise is framed as a lonely, pitiable event, highlighting the emptiness of her life despite her Hollywood success. The discarded possessions-particularly the infamous wire hangers-serve as metaphors for the trauma Christina endured and her determination to move forward. The film suggests that Joan's abusive behavior stemmed from her own insecurities and the pressures of fame, but it refuses to absolve her, instead emphasizing Christina's resilience. The cyclical nature of abuse is implied by Joan's own troubled upbringing, yet the narrative firmly sides with Christina's right to break free.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. Did Joan ever love Christina, or was she merely a prop for her image?
- Possible Answer: Joan may have harbored some genuine affection, but her narcissism and need for control overshadowed it.
2. Why did Christina wait until after Joan's death to fully confront her trauma?
- Possible Answer: Societal expectations and fear of backlash may have silenced her earlier.
3. What happened to Christina's siblings, and how did Joan's abuse affect them?
- Possible Answer: The film hints at fractured relationships, but their long-term fates are left ambiguous.
4. Could Joan's behavior be attributed to mental illness?
- Possible Answer: Signs of borderline personality disorder or narcissism are evident, though the film doesn't diagnose her.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and Film:
Mommie Dearest is a harrowing portrait of abuse disguised as glamour, and its ending is both cathartic and haunting. Faye Dunaway's operatic performance walks a fine line between camp and tragedy, making Joan a figure of revulsion and pity. The finale succeeds in portraying Christina's liberation as bittersweet-she escapes, but the scars remain. However, the film's melodramatic tone sometimes undermines its darker themes, leaving viewers torn between shock and disbelief. Despite this, the ending's rawness lingers, forcing audiences to reckon with the real-life implications of Christina's memoir. It's a flawed but unforgettable exploration of fame's corrosive effects on familial bonds.
Legacy and Cultural Impact:
The ending of Mommie Dearest has cemented its place in pop culture, inspiring countless parodies and debates about the accuracy of Christina's account. The trash-bin scene, in particular, has become iconic, symbolizing the rejection of toxic legacies. While some criticize the film for its sensationalism, others praise its unflinching depiction of abuse. The unresolved questions it raises about accountability and memory ensure its relevance, sparking discussions about how we remember-and judge-historical figures. Ultimately, the film's power lies in its ambiguity: it refuses to neatly resolve Joan's contradictions, leaving her as enraging and enigmatic in death as she was in life.