This absolutely riveting biographical drama about Joan Crawford is based on her daughter Christina's vengeful memoir. Faye Dunaway is astonishing as Crawford, risen from rags to bitches, who still scrubs the floors, runs rings around studio bosses and creates a living hell for her daughter (brilliantly played by young Mara Hobel and, as she grows up, by Diana Scarwid). When Crawford yells "Tina! Bring me the axe!" because she wants to prune the roses, or when she screams "No wire hangers!", the movie enters an asylum of its own. This is lavish and pretty accurate as far as Hollywood lore is concerned, but Dunaway makes Norma Desmond look like Doris Day.

Renowned film star Joan Crawford's abuse towards Christina, her adopted daughter, intensifies as her professional and romantic relationships turn sour.