My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay

Excellently made documentary about Jayne Mansfield and her family. It is heartwarming, dramatic, and empowering. Definitely a must see. The documentary details Hollywood life in the 50s and 60s for female actors. It shows the struggles Jayne went through to be famous but also be there for her family. Mariska Hargitay's entire family is interviewed and shares their viewpoint on what it was like growing up with an iconic actress as their mother. The documentary is easy to follow, lots of video clips and pictures to really help visualize what the narrator was describing. I highly recommend this documentary to everyone.

Mariska Hargitay directed this complicated but clear and concise timeline of her mother's career, relationships, and family life. It was so beautifully executed. I won't give too much away because it needs to be experienced to understand the nuances. It left me in tears, for Mariska, for her family, and for the true and deep love they have for one another. Thank you Mariska for sharing this beautiful journey with us. It's one I will never forget. God bless Jayne who lived so much life in her short time on earth, and God bless Mickey for showing the kind of unconditional love that is not of this earth.

I just finished watching this documentary and I'm writing this - trying to see my phone screen - with eyes full of tears. All I can say is - Absolutely AMAZING!

Mariska didn't have to allow us into this part of her life. The raw emotion. The everyday clothing. It was like we were "at home" with her. Such a special way to invite us all in. She got to tell her story - her way. When she was ready. You have to love her for it. I love her for it.

I don't want to type any spoilers - I will just say it again. This documentary was absolutely amazing and I hope Mariska gets an Oscar in the documentary category for it. She deserves it.

Mariska has allowed all of us to be part of her life for the last 26 years on SVU. How many other actors have held the same character this long? Not only that, we want to continue watching her week after week. We don't want it to end. An actor in a role this long is unheard of. How many people have kept any job this many years? That shows you her work ethic and how talented of an actress Mariska is. When I turn on my television every Thursday night, I see someone in law enforcement. I don't see an actress. She is where she is due to her incredible acting ability. Something her mother wanted so badly. To be appreciated for her (many) talents and not just her figure. I'm so proud of Mariska. Doing things on her terms.

With the way Mariska grew up, she could have turned out very differently and blamed it on her childhood. Instead, she rose up and has always carried herself with class. She is highly respected in the industry. A role model. In spite of it all and prior to this documentary - we only knew half of her story.

This documentary humanizes Mariska and how she came to be here. It showed what Jayne went through as a mother trying to make it as a serious actress in the industry. My heart hurt for her. I cried with her. I laughed with her. I grew up without parents after the age of 12, I could feel the void in her heart. I know that void. I want to say so much more but don't want to have spoilers.

I do have to close with this: To this person who left the review before this one that gave a 3/10 because they felt the documentary wasn't about Jayne, but more about Mariska - you obviously cannot read and should revise your rating. Shame on you. The title of the documentary is very clear. It states "My MOM, Jayne" - "Mariska Hargitay's journey to understand and embrace the public and privacy legacy of her mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield. Mariska delves into her mother's story for the first time - searching for the mother she never knew almost six decades after the Hollywood legends tragic death." Did this reviewer miss what the documentary was about? It is too bad that I can't respond directly to it. The scathing review was not warranted at all. You misunderstood what the documentary was about and the ratings shouldn't suffer because of your misunderstanding.

The story IS about Mariska and her MOM. The mom Jayne was.

The ending was a love letter from Mariska to her mother - after many, many years of hurt - and it was beautiful.

Thank you, Mariska - for sharing your life with us all of these years. We love you and we are so proud of the woman that you became in spite of it all.

I've admired Mariska Hargitay and enjoyed her work as an actress for a long time. Now I'm even more impressed with the courage it took to share her complicated life story.

There is so much tragedy involved, but it makes me happy to know that as much tragedy as there was, there was even more love. And I'm glad that, to some degree, people were able to admit their mistakes and apologize for them.

It's rather head-spinning to think about the identity questions and issues involved and how it plays out over the years of secrecy and mystery. I hope this documentary receives the recognition it deserves.

I went into this documentary with low expectations, but by the end, I had chills. There's so much passion and thought put into this film. Although Jayne Mansfield's life was tragically short, this documentary proves her legacy is still very much alive. I learned things about Jayne that genuinely surprised me-in a good way. She had so many hidden talents, and it's incredible how much she accomplished by the age of 34. This is easily one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time. Jayne would be so proud of her daughter for honoring her story and sharing her journey to becoming a Hollywood icon.