Mommy Dead and Dearest

Mommy Dead and Dearest was extremely well-received in its world premiere today at SXSW Film Festival. This film morphs from apparent case of matricide into one of the journey of Gypsy, a severely abused child. Her journey as recounted in recovered VHS tapes and interviews will shock you even if you think you can no longer be shocked by what human beings are capable of. It is best not to give away too many of the details of Gypsy's story. The filmmakers have taken care to present the story with both sympathy and nuance as we learn the disturbing details behind Gypsy's story and most disturbingly how every institution that was supposed to help her – medical, educational, social workers, the criminal justice system – failed to attenuate the abuse and allowed the conditions that produced this bizarre and disturbing situation to continue. The film is scheduled for HBO and this story deserves to be more widely seen and understood. Unfortunately, in so many ways, the criminal escaped punishment and the victim has been imprisoned by what has happened. The filmmakers have done an excellent job of bringing this troubling story to life for the public.

Gypsy's mom, no doubt, created a sociopath, with her constant horrific abuse of her daughter. Now, Gypsy is able to express herself articulately and sympathetically, but her upbringing, taught to lie throughout her lifelong abuse, probably has produced a cunning sociopath. Yes, I do feel sorry for her. I don't blame her for orchestrating the murder of her mother. That said, the woman (therapist?) who commented that Gypsy "may be dangerous" was probably right. Gypsy will probably never have a normal relationship. Sociopaths are very skilled at expressing themselves convincingly.

Documentaries, when done well, are like great theater. Count "Mommy Dead and Dearest" among one of the best ever made. It also doesn't hurt that the filmmakers have an unbelievable fascinating story to work with.

"Gypsy Rose" sounds like a name for the title character in some form of art. But the story of her life is a tale best left for nightmares.

Just when you think that there is nothing else that could horrify or surprise you, along comes a story that turns that on its head.

It is going to take me a lifetime to forget what I just watched. I also now have a new added skepticism of or society, legal and justice system- all of which dropped the ball here.

Sometimes the worse solution may end up being the only solution.

I don't know where to begin. I am one hour into this documentary, and about twenty-two minutes are left. I am completely horrified by everything I've seen so far.

I have never heard of this crime, the people involved, anything. This tale, which is not simply a crime story, is probably the most horrifying incident I've ever heard in my life, and it's not the murder itself that is the most disturbing, but rather, ALL that led up to it. Given what Gypsey Rose endured her entire life, it's no wonder she finally murdered her mother. And, she'll probably need a lifetime of therapy to get over the trauma her mother inflicted upon her. Merely watching her story, I was beyond uncomfortable, unsettled, disgusted, revolted and horrified by what that woman did to her daughter, and I was equally as horrified by how the system COMPLETELY failed her. She endured purposeful, systematic abuse by her mother, and the system ignored her situation her entire life, wh8ch is why she felt compelled to take matters into her own hands. Her life heretofore has been a complete freak show.

I hope she will be able to start a new life. Somehow.

This story is INSANE. Hard to believe something this complex, fascinating and disturbing could occur in real life. Is Gypsy purely a victim? A pathological liar? An abuse survivor? A mentally confused and stunted young girl? A willing participant? A product of over medication and abuse? Probably a mixture of all of this and more, each taking its turn at the forefront of her personality. A sad, enrapturing and pulpy crime doc.