Mommy Dead and Dearest

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.

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.

"Mommy Dead and Dearest" is a well-edited and put together film. It tells the narrative behind the Gypsy Rose Blamchard case in a coherent way, and it introduces the viewers to most pertinent characters to try to get a complex overview of this bizarre case. The directors succeed in trying to present the case in an objective way, talking to family members, police officers, lawyers, doctors and psychologists alike, but nonetheless there is still a problematic bias in this documentary as well an odd and conflicting ambivalence, as if the filmmakers both oversimplified and overcomplicated their narrative at different turns. These insidious manipulations aggravate an otherwise technically proficient documentary, which is nonetheless likely to be one of the better ones out there. Despite the notion of a happy ending "Mommy Dead and Dearest" gives, I have a feeling there is more to complicate the story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.

Viewers note that while Gypsy Rose Blanchard has been given ten years prison time, the man she asked to murder her mother Dee Dee for her, Nicholas Godejohn, has been given a lifetime sentence and Gypsy is effectively done with him. Psychologists interviewed within the film have given Gypsy the doubt of bein a sociopath, and while I appreciate how the filmmakers didn't shy away from that I question whether they haven't manipulated events (the family reunion with Gypsy's father) in too much favor for her. If they haven't, then just be aware that the something here is still pretty messed up, and the answer "Mommy Dead and Dearest" gives is far too pat.

Even still, "Mommy Dead and Dearest" is a well told, but probably premature documentary, and I don't believe it's the full story it is made out to be. Some kudos to the filmmakers for making some notion of possible discrepancies, apthough not going far enough in exploring them so as to feel fully fledged or complete.

Mixed feelings about this one.

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.