Wonderful series - amusing and tragic - but I was disappointed that the recap which closed the show eliminated a short bio of the excellent Joan Blondell, portrayed by Kathy Bates. Blondell was a superb character actress memorable for so many supporting performances in both films and television, notably her role in the classic "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn."
Podcaster/standup/actor Marc Maron interviewed director/screenwriter Walter Hill the other day. Hill was at the edge of livid regarding the portrayal of Robert Aldrich in the series, calling it an outrage and a travesty. He felt that much had been unfairly misrepresented regarding Aldrich's character/personality. The rant begins at 1:22.
What surprises me the most about the success of this series is the translation into mainstream culture of gay camp and its obsession with old Hollywood stars. For years the feud between Crawford and Davis was portrayed by drag queens in the queer subcultures of San Francisco and New York. Kudos to Murphy for making art out of this and successfully translating the queer reading of Hollywood to the masses.
3
The only actress/peer I can remember Bette Davis expressing admiration for was Katharine Hepburn. In her biography "The Lonely Life" and later in another book, "Mother Goddamn", Davis even wrote that Hepburn, in "Alice Adams" deserved the 1935 Oscar Davis won for "Dangerous".....Also, just recently happened to watch the Dick Cavett interview of Katharine Hepburn from the 70's on youtube..Mr. Cavett at one point asked Hepburn directly what she thought of Bette Davis and she said "She's awfully good..." Davis and Hepburn was a screen pairing I would have loved to seen.
1
Really enjoyed this series. Sorry that it is over.
5
That "haunting" -- and almost unbearably long -- part of the episode about Crawford's final days in Manhattan was just incredibly depressing. I paused the replay once to decide whether I could bear any more of it. I suppose if you are young -- with that stage of life in your hazy far future -- it was more bearable. But I recently turned 73. So, those scenes simply filled me with horror.
I wonder if they could have told that story better in fewer episodes. I greatly admired the production with those incredible performances from so many, but I was glad when it was finally over.
I wonder if they could have told that story better in fewer episodes. I greatly admired the production with those incredible performances from so many, but I was glad when it was finally over.
You're right, Gary, the series went on two episodes too long. It's not that it made the same points over and over (though it did that too) but it took so long to make them.
Lange became tiresome to watch, and there was never enough of Sarandon. In fact, the series wasn't really about a "feud" between the two women at all; it was a biopic of Crawford. Compare the screen time of Lange to Sarandon. It's probably, what? At least five to one?
Lange became tiresome to watch, and there was never enough of Sarandon. In fact, the series wasn't really about a "feud" between the two women at all; it was a biopic of Crawford. Compare the screen time of Lange to Sarandon. It's probably, what? At least five to one?
This line was so malicious I assume it Had to be real: When asked to comment on Crawford's death, Davis (Sarandon) says (paraphrasing) "I was taught if you can't say something good about the dead, don't say anything. Crawford's dead? Good." Whew. So much for post-mortems...
3
Jessica Lange: talk about a master class. I'd go back and watch every episode just to watch her do it again. She made the whole "dream sequence" with Hedda et al work...I'm not it would have without her. Great, great, great.
10
Except for the exceptionally outstanding Normal Heart, I've become quite skeptical of Ryan Murphy's projects. But Feud was a wonderful mix of guilty pleasure, great acting and a wonderfully crafted and executed script. I would love to see more of what may have been cut. If any deleted material exists I will definitely buy the Blu-ray to watch it!
4
What was it like to once be considered the most beautiful woman and the most talented woman in the world? Feud answers. Watch.
5
I missed this show as soon as the closing credits started. It was exciting to see a real scripted show for adults with some terrific acting.
Kudos to the producers, actors, directors etc. for bringing this to light. Lange truly makes you believe she is Joan Crawford likewise Ms. Sarandon doing her turn on Ms. Davis. Loved every single moment and left me wanting more, much more.
Kudos to the producers, actors, directors etc. for bringing this to light. Lange truly makes you believe she is Joan Crawford likewise Ms. Sarandon doing her turn on Ms. Davis. Loved every single moment and left me wanting more, much more.
7
The dream sequence was beautifully written and wonderfully performed. A high point for the series.
It also exemplifies Mr. Murphy's worst excess and inability to play by his own rules. (The finale to AHS:Roanoake and the premier of The New Normal being two other prime examples.) In a series that is driven by narrated documentary, how can a dream sequence exist? Was Mamacita given a play by play of the dream to relay? Why are she, Pauline, and Victor now suddenly part of the narration? Why did the framing device sometimes fade away for episodes at a time? And what was Kathy Bates doing in this series at all (Seem Ms. Hoffman absconded with her Murphyverse role of doting on Ms. Lange.) A low point for the series.
It also exemplifies Mr. Murphy's worst excess and inability to play by his own rules. (The finale to AHS:Roanoake and the premier of The New Normal being two other prime examples.) In a series that is driven by narrated documentary, how can a dream sequence exist? Was Mamacita given a play by play of the dream to relay? Why are she, Pauline, and Victor now suddenly part of the narration? Why did the framing device sometimes fade away for episodes at a time? And what was Kathy Bates doing in this series at all (Seem Ms. Hoffman absconded with her Murphyverse role of doting on Ms. Lange.) A low point for the series.
My only complaint about this series is that "Bette Davis" seemed to get less screen time than "Joan Crawford." (Bette Davis is my favorite actress of all time). Other than that, both of these women were just brilliant. Sarandon nailed Davis' "speech patterns." Both of these women should receive many acting awards for their performances. Too bad they won't be able to share them.
3
how can anyone, anywhere, list the most important films of Bette Davis and not list "All About Eve?" This was the role of her career.
10
Does no one remember Bette Davis in The Whales of August with Lillian Gish? One of her last films.
8
and Vincent Price, seen in the Dean Martin roast sequence
This series was phenomenal. All of the actors were amazing, but Jessica Lange left everyone else in the dust, IMHO.
16
You forgot to mention an essential part to the success of that first opening montage of Crawford carrying on in 1968---the music that accompanied it was B. J. Thomas singing his hit from that era, "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". Music is always a very important part of any movie and in that case it helped keep it light and not so maudlin. For that matter, kudos to whoever made those great musical choices that played in the background throughout this brilliant series. I'm guessing that Murphy had his hand in it besides the composer. My favorite episode was the Oscar event when Bette lost and Joan picked up Bancroft's Oscar for her. The camera work in that episode was stellar especially the Scorcese long one-shot backstage. And I agree that if you're advising people to watch Bette's old movies, you just can't leave out All About Eve---it was her last great film before Whatever Happened to Baby Jane!
11
Well! I did not expect to love this mini series. I'm betting that most women viewers found moments of profound empathy for Joan and Bette and spotted their own struggles in their plight. I never warmed to Joan Crawford in any way, but Jessica Lange's performance tells us what happened to her and why she had to be Joan Crawford to survive in the industry. I recall the beginning of Lange's career and how she was ridiculed for King Kong and patted on the head for All That Jazz. For this role she took everything she's learned as an actress and put it out there in Crawford, portraying an extremely complicated woman and all the glittering facets of her persona. She's remained rather unlikable, but you nearly drowned in empathy for her, and for Bette, as they star in the horror show for aging women in Hollywood. Everybody deserves a lot of credit.
14
I don't usually cry at T.V. show's. but I found myself profoundly moved as tears streamed down my cheeks during the final hour of Feud. While both actress's were wonderful, Jessica Lange brought Joan Crawford to life & finally to death in a manner I would never have imagined when I watched the first few show's..Talk about great acting !!! I only hope this performance is not forgotten come Emmy time !!!
25
It should be given to both actors. Sarandon was quite amazing as well. She captured Ms. Davis's nuances perfectly, subtle and on point. Loved every minute.
3
I agree. I've only seen Joan in one film and it was her role of Mildred Pierce ...And then I got Faye in Mommy dearest. So I was elated by Jessica and her performance as Joan. The finale was incredible going to watch it again
4
I have not seen the final episode yet but I loved this series. I thought both Sarandon and Lange gave great performances, but I thought Sarandon's performance came closest to capturing the Bette Davis I know from the movies and from decades of TV interviews (see her on Dick Cavett -- she even mentions Joan Crawford in that interview). But Lange's performance, for me, gives Crawford a softness the actress herself was never able to convey on screen.
10
I absolutely hate that this ever had to end! I have always been an admirer of Jessica Lange ever since I was little (I'm 34) and her work on AHS has proven what I already knew but for me this is by far her best work to date. Her performance was simply brilliant even by her own lofty standards. There wasn't a weak link in the entire ensemble everyone from Cathy Bates(as always) to Stanley Tucci was remarkable. What was most endearing to me was the manner in which both Sarandon and Lange were able to humanize these legendary personas without resorting to caricature and mockery. Bravo!
21
This series was just fantastic. I was leery of watching, having been a fan of their movies, in black and white, on late night TV. In my opinion, Jessica Lange gave the best performance of her entire career, and I've seen her in everything. And the sets, costumes and " feel" of the episodes was perfect.
Bravo to all. I wished it lasted longer, that's how much I enjoyed it.
Bravo to all. I wished it lasted longer, that's how much I enjoyed it.
24
Feud was a wonderful series, with impeccable performances from all of the cast. Lange and Sarandon gave performances that made me rethink my views of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, humanizing their legends. Television like this is what makes cable worth paying for.
14
What about Johnny Guitar and All About Eve? Two incredible movies.
9
How about Crawford's best movie, sandwiched as she was between young and old: Humoresque.
1
As with all of Ryan Murphy's projects, Feud's finale episode almost falls apart due to the maudlin sentimentality its creator tends to resort to when "wrapping things up", in this case especially insulting considering that Crawford and Davis were known for the opposite of treacly self-pity.
My one question is: what was the matter with the orange/red lipstick that all the actresses seemed to be using? In my HD TV, the abominable thing seemed like a CGI effect imposed on their lips!
My one question is: what was the matter with the orange/red lipstick that all the actresses seemed to be using? In my HD TV, the abominable thing seemed like a CGI effect imposed on their lips!
3
Jessica Lange's brilliant performance kept me coming back to Feud each week for more. To watch one of the best actresses of our generation in a creatively brave and wonderful crafted series was an event in itself. Thank you Ryan Murphy.
36
Lange deserves an Emmy for her layered, complex performance.
35
I think it would be nice if there was a tie, and they both received one!
1
Total outsider's viewpoint here, sorry for any offense, maybe some will find it interesting.
"Two seconds is all we'll all get," is a terrific and accurate line. Oddly I wound up reading all the well-written recaps here (great work Ms. O'Malley) and never saw a single minute of the show. So I've got sort of a Cliff's notes view of it, but it still seemed like an interesting and innovative show, just not for me.
Personally, I know of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, but have no clear idea of what they look like, and I doubt I've ever seen a film of either. I'm too young (46), and not an old film buff; never seen Casablanca either and I don't care to. Old film buffs hate this aspect of me, but sorry, it's how I feel; the old stuff bores me.
I also despise the Hollywood narcissism that both these actors represent (not Sarandon and Lange though, they're terrific and not full of themselves), so I figured I'd be irritated by the main characters throughout.
However, I think I'd have gotten satisfaction from that line, two seconds is all we'll all get. If that was a lesson of the series, not to be too wrapped up in oneself because we're all very temporary, then it's a good lesson to impart. The feud between these two divas just seems so pointless and sadistic, and they were doomed to dwindle and die in the end no matter what; I'd hope one or the other of them woke up to the realization that their feud never should have happened.
"Two seconds is all we'll all get," is a terrific and accurate line. Oddly I wound up reading all the well-written recaps here (great work Ms. O'Malley) and never saw a single minute of the show. So I've got sort of a Cliff's notes view of it, but it still seemed like an interesting and innovative show, just not for me.
Personally, I know of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, but have no clear idea of what they look like, and I doubt I've ever seen a film of either. I'm too young (46), and not an old film buff; never seen Casablanca either and I don't care to. Old film buffs hate this aspect of me, but sorry, it's how I feel; the old stuff bores me.
I also despise the Hollywood narcissism that both these actors represent (not Sarandon and Lange though, they're terrific and not full of themselves), so I figured I'd be irritated by the main characters throughout.
However, I think I'd have gotten satisfaction from that line, two seconds is all we'll all get. If that was a lesson of the series, not to be too wrapped up in oneself because we're all very temporary, then it's a good lesson to impart. The feud between these two divas just seems so pointless and sadistic, and they were doomed to dwindle and die in the end no matter what; I'd hope one or the other of them woke up to the realization that their feud never should have happened.
1
The line is actually better crafted than that: "Two seconds is all any of us will get."'
And delivered with powerful emotion, in an extraordinary final episode to a fun but uneven series.
And delivered with powerful emotion, in an extraordinary final episode to a fun but uneven series.
8
Thanks Charissa, I was going from the recap, naturally. And I think it'd be even more accurate to have been, "two seconds is all any of us will get, if we're lucky".
You're never too young to seek out and see old films. TCM airs them. And 99% if them are better than anything out there today, You're missing out on a lot of great films.
7
What a fantastic series that seemed to materialize out of nowhere. It felt like a gift to enjoy it, when it's surrounded by so much drivel on tv. Jessica Lange was breathtaking. If you're out there somewhere reading this, Jessica, THANK YOU.
27
This series was phenomenal! I thoroughly enjoyed every episode and it was superbly done. Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford is Emmy award winning work, hands down, she killed. My second favorite character portrayal was the divine Judy Davis as Hedda Hopper. The issues that these women faced, in male dominated industries, we still face. On more than one occasion I was left wondering, what's changed? It gave me life to see women of a certain age, and era, bring this series to life. Well done Ladies! Honorable mentions to Stanley Tucci, he was amazing as Jack Warner.
21
Loved every minute, but I also thought Sarandon was superb!
5
What a terrific series! Loved seeing Don Bachardy sketching Bette Davis. In the spirit of rapprochement in Joan's hallucination, I hoped to learn that Christopher Isherwood liked and/or admired Bette Davis, but read this instead: "... and Bette Davis, who is quite an arrogant and not overly talented parrot-faced bitch" [Isherwood, Diaries, Volume 1, May 1955, page 495]. ugh.
Isherwood wrote about the sketch in November 1973: "Don has drawn Bette Davis and feels that they have become friends; but he doesn't like his drawings." [Isherwood, Liberation, Diaries 1970-1983, page 450].
Google "Don Bachardy Bette Davis" to see Bachardy's sketch.
Isherwood wrote about the sketch in November 1973: "Don has drawn Bette Davis and feels that they have become friends; but he doesn't like his drawings." [Isherwood, Liberation, Diaries 1970-1983, page 450].
Google "Don Bachardy Bette Davis" to see Bachardy's sketch.
3
my heart was full and breaking at the same time, throughout the finale. it might even have the power to undo the impression left by faye dunaway's horrifying portrayal of joan crawford in "mommie dearest." I thought this series was an absolute gem.
18
An essential series and easily one of the high points of 2017. I loved it and found the closing episode moving, suggesting that at the core of this series, there is a hard won, hard-as-nails sentiment that comes from a genuine love and respect for these two actresses, women who themselves could afford little accommodation for sentiment in their own lives and careers. Both Lange and Sarrandon never looked more beautiful. Couldn't take my eyes off them. As for Davis and Crawford, it really is too bad they couldn't partner and find further opportunities together. "Baby Jane" was a hoot, though "Charlotte" didn't do much for me. Frankly, they should have done a comedy after Jane. An ideal project, in my estimation: playing the homicidal spinsters in a remake of "Arsenic and Old Lace"
24
This series unexpectedly grabbed my heart. When it first came on weeks ago, I thought it was going to be a campy kind of thing. It ended up being the complete opposite. Sure, there were some schlocky moments now and then, but mostly 'Feud' was brilliantly written and directed; and, the acting without exception was impeccable, moving and heartbreaking. Eight episodes was plenty, and it ended when it needed to end. But it really raised the bar for this type of biographical programming. It has been a stunning production. Kuddos to Lange, Sarandon and the creative team. I've loved every minute.
31
I found the segment in which Crawford was making the film "Trog" unbearably sad. Sad because she allowed herself to be demeaned. When she saw the conditions under which she was going to work making that dreadful film, she could have walked away -- she didn't. She allowed herself to be used and abused almost as though she thought she deserved to be treated so shabbily. Her neediness for attention, love whatever label one wishes to apply which was at the core of her personality ruled her life -- even in at the end.
Davis made some things unworthy of her toward the end of her life but nothing remotely like Crawford's. B.D. appeared throughout the story as a highly unlikable human being let alone daughter. Davis should have washed her hands of her long before she wrote her miserable little book that only was published because her mother was somebody whereas B.D. was and still is a nobody. Talk about blood money which is precisely what the money is that B.D. collected for that book.
The mention of Katharine Hepburn in the film is interesting for the sake of contrast. When Crawford and Davis were making horror flicks, Hepburn was making "Long Day's Journey into Night," Lion in Winter, On Golden Pond, Love Among the Ruins etc. And true to her lifelong self -- rarely appearing at any event and when she did -- it was an EVENT in itself. Present one Oscar, the Dick Cavett interview, the Kennedy Ctr. Honor.
Davis made some things unworthy of her toward the end of her life but nothing remotely like Crawford's. B.D. appeared throughout the story as a highly unlikable human being let alone daughter. Davis should have washed her hands of her long before she wrote her miserable little book that only was published because her mother was somebody whereas B.D. was and still is a nobody. Talk about blood money which is precisely what the money is that B.D. collected for that book.
The mention of Katharine Hepburn in the film is interesting for the sake of contrast. When Crawford and Davis were making horror flicks, Hepburn was making "Long Day's Journey into Night," Lion in Winter, On Golden Pond, Love Among the Ruins etc. And true to her lifelong self -- rarely appearing at any event and when she did -- it was an EVENT in itself. Present one Oscar, the Dick Cavett interview, the Kennedy Ctr. Honor.
12
I thought the Trog scenes were sad because of her attempt to treat it as an adventure and see it through. She may have been reluctant to leave after having walked off the set of Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, which damaged her reputation as a professional.
3
I didn't see it as Crawford being abused or victimized. She chose to do that film because she desperately wanted to work and she went into it knowing all the downsides. What was both sad...and inspiring...was to watch her film scenes with the utmost seriousness and commitment to the role, determined to give an A-list performance in a decidedly B-list film. She was not going to embarrass herself. I admired that.
2
I agree about the Hepburn reference. Davis, Crawford and de Havilland never really made the jump to television, whereas Stanwyk and to a degree, even Ava Gardner did. So sad to have watched these powerhouse actresses take on those hagsploitation role whereas Hepburn a. had faultless taste and b. managed to attract the right offers. I came to Feud thinking it would be mordant fun. It wasn't, although Stanley Tucci should get his own series playing Jack Warner. Jessica Lange was riveting. She should get an award--she did more with her chin than most actresses do with their entire bodies.
3
That was the saddest ending I've ever seen; old age, faded beauty, loneliness, emptiness and self-destruction. Jessica Lange's Joan is heartbreaking and beautifully fragile and Susan Sarandon's Bette is as biting and sharp as she always was. The sadness comes from knowing there is no place for old women in Hollywood. Not just old women, but legends. When you turn gray, can no longer wear fitted clothes and start to fall apart, no one cares who you once were. That both women maintained their regal poise in old age is a testament to their heroic grace. Bravo Ryan Murphy.
37
The final scenes at the table with all four characters really made me very emotional, especially since my career of nearly 50 years is coming to a close. Many thanks to Ryan Murphy and the cast and crew of this remarkable series.