I had to look it up, because it's been a few years, but I reviewed the DVD back in 2006.
John nailed it -- it's definitely
not "one of the worst movies ever made". It's actually quite well made. It does, however, carry a large camp following because of some overwrought scenes, Dunaway's vampy performance and a few prime lines of dialogue (hence John Waters' fandom and why they recruited a drag queen to do another commentary).
This was my review --
Not to be outdone in the camp department, Paramount has issued a new, “Hollywood Royalty Edition” of their 1981 cult classic MOMMIE DEAREST (**½, 1981, 128 mins., PG; Paramount) this week.
One of the quintessential camp titles of all-time previously found its way to DVD in a bare-bones 2001 effort from Paramount. The new disc is highlighted by commentary from filmmaker John Waters, who discusses his appreciation for Frank Perry’s bio-pic of Joan Crawford, with Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of the actresses’ terrifying descent into alcoholism and abuse of her adopted child Christina making for uneasy viewing at times. Certainly the movie is well-shot, capably scored by Henry Mancini, and compulsively watchable for its portrayal of the era, its stars, and the studio system that was to blame for many problems of the people who worked in it.
Hollywood voyeurs and fans of so-bad-it's-good cinema will savor Dunaway's melodramatic plunge from start to end, and Paramount’s new DVD clearly is geared towards that audience. In addition to Waters’ commentary, the new disc includes three fresh featurettes, touching upon the production of the movie (featuring interviews with producer Frank Yablans, Diana Scarwid and others) and its cult following with Waters and even Crawford impersonator Linsynka interviewed.
Technically the disc seems to contain the same a/v presentation as its predecessor. The 16:9 transfer is a bit on the grainy side but is generally acceptable, while the 5.1 Dolby Digital remixed sound is better than anticipated. The trailer ("Joan Crawford: the most dramatic role of her life WAS her life!") is included along with a brief photo gallery.
