Feud

As someone who worked with actors all his life I'm enormously grateful to Ryan Murphy for putting together with such seriousness and such care this series about a subject that is very rarely if ever touched. And when it is, it tends to be a caricature, a satire, an exaggeration of an exaggeration. Here the drama was tangible and the work of Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon, superlative. They managed to transport us from the times of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, as women and actresses, to our times, without betraying it. The characters were one hundred per cent present and the actresses playing them were one hundred per cent present. If acting is an art, and it is, that mysterious fusion between actor and character is the manifestation of it. - Many young actors I'm working with at the moment, some of which had never heard of Steve McQueen, let alone Bette Davis or Joan Crawford, saw "Feud" and compelled and inspire them to want to know more. In the last few weeks I've had them come to me with stories of "All About Eve", "Humoresque", "The Little Foxes", William Wyler, George Cukor... So "Feud" has become a tool, an agent provocateur, a gateway to history, the history of their own profession. It's not wishful thinking on my part. I see it in the young one's faces. Discovering passionately, and their horizons broaden automatically. It's a joy to see. As I close this comment a heartfelt hurrah to Alfred Molina and Stanley Tucci for their fearless, remarkable performances and to everyone involved, thank you very much.

Eight-part cable series from super-producer Ryan Murphy delineates the long-running Hollywood rivalry between Oscar-winning actresses Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, culminating with their teaming for two pictures, 1962's "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane" and 1964's "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte", the latter of which was finished without Crawford (Olivia de Havilland stepped in after "producer" Bette ran Joan off). Altogether amazing recreation of a by-gone era...not quite what we now think of as classic Hollywood, but rather a Tinsel Town in decline, feeding off itself and its denizens. Material which might have slipped into caricature becomes observant, acerbic and surprisingly touching here, under the service of several different writers and directors. By showing the human side of an older Crawford (Jessica Lange) and Davis (Susan Sarandon), we see the hidden, hurting heart of Hollywood, a town not known for having or showing sympathy to aging actresses. The first two episodes of the series are entertaining if a bit wobbly--neither Lange nor Sarandon particularly sounds nor resembles the ladies they are portraying, and the supporting cast, too, works to find their footing--but these are nitpicks in what is essentially a loving (and lovingly, meticulously designed) tribute to the Hollywood icons. The padding for length is exposed on occasion, but this duet keeps getting better and better. By the grand finale, both Lange and Sarandon are performing at the top of their craft (initially, one may hope for impersonations, but what we eventually get from the ladies is far richer). In an eerie, evocative dream sequence near the end, all the feelings of pain and loss and triumph and regret come full circle. These women were survivors, battle-scarred veterans, two tough broads--but not so tough that they didn't privately feel the pain of the passing years, and how a possible friendship was trampled over in the need for success and respect.

Now already on episode 3 I can say without a doubt. "Feud" is totally addictive. The writing, the direction, costumes and production design, it all works beautifully, satisfying those who knew nothing about the story and those of us who knew a great deal. The biggest surprise, however is the Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon's performances that puts everything into a level way above, camp and/or caricature. Their performances are serious, profound, all consuming. Two modern stars throw themselves into the emotional investigation of two stars from the past and the results are, let me say it, extraordinary. I'm looking at Joan Crawford through an entirely new perspective. Jessica Lange has humanized her without embellishing her and Susan Sarandon plays with Bette Davis's contradictions making them crystal clear even finding a sort of justification for them. I saw the 3rd episode "Mommie Dearest" twice in a row. That's how riveted I was and still am. Let me also mention Alfred Molina as Robert Aldrich. Sensational.

The whole series so far is a rewarding surprise. No camp caricature here but a serious, incisive portrayal of two iconic characters. Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon create her characters based on Joan Crawford and Bette Davis with such virtuosity that every new episode allow us to go deeper without ever turning into parody. Their reality is parody enough. But what touches me is that Lange and Sarandon, taking our preconceptions into account, inspire us to look at this two women as human beings. My admiration also to Alfred Molina - Robert Aldrich? Wow! Absolute perfection. On the latest episode "And The Winner Is..." Two extraordinary moments: Geraldine Page (A superb Sarah Paulson) taking Crawford's call and surrendering to her request because "She needs it" or Anne Bancroft (a wonderful Serinda Swan) receiving Crawford in her dressing room. Bancroft and Page understand Crawford's agony even from a distance. Compassion at last. I'm enjoying Feud with all my senses. Thank you Ryan Murphy and everyone involved.

Ryan Murphy managed the virtually impossible. Finding a tone and the tone has to do with the humanity of this Hollywood gargoyles. I wonder if young Joan and Bette knew where they were heading. Those women that their daughters wrote about, were they who they were or who they became. Jessica Lange throws a light on Joan Crawford that made me, already, re-think her myth. Her fear is actually tangible. Great, great performance. Susan Sarandon captures Davis's temperament and allow us a glimpse into the contradictory nature of the woman. Brilliant, succinct observation - when she throws herself into the role of wife and mother, she was thoroughly miscast. Alfred Molina is superb as Robert Aldrich and Stanley Tucci is terrific as Jack "I show you my hemorrhoids" Warner. I can't wait for the next episode.