Review of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) by Ann D — 14 Dec 2010

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is a pretty disturbing movie about sibling jealousy, mental unbalance and handicap abuse. Everything that makes a good movie!

Staring two brilliant actresses, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, this movie is all about 2 sisters; Jane, who became a famous child star in the '1910s, and Blanche who became famous in her adult years as her sister faded away from popularity. But due to an "accident", Blanche became crippled and now in a wheelchair with her sister taking care of her. They are both now in their old age and Jane has become a twisted and unbalanced person who abuses Blanche because of her jealousy and alcoholism. It's a pretty disturbing thought thinking about the abuse Jane does, and that's because Bette Davis does a terrific preformance. So does Joan Crawford who plays a great victum. (and knowing that she can also play a great abuser too in Mommy Dearest).

This is a wonderfully made thriller, taking place all inside a house, you can really feel Blanche's claustrophobic fear. Lots of nice cinematography with the use of lights that illuminate and darken the characters and the sets. And the way the house was made shows Jane's manipulation and state of mind even further, being decorated with her own memorabilia, and even a giant mirror and floor lights to look like a stage. This movie combines the look of Hollywood style and independant style in scenes outside the house.

This is a top notch classical thriller. It's not only original, but it hits deep into that part of your emotions that make you say, "Oh, that's horrible!" And with great preformances to boot, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane becomes a psychological thriller classic that's definitely worth a watch.