This is probably the strangest movie of Joan Crawford's career and one of the best from her latter years as well. While the movie is far from perfect (it is a bit heavy-handed at times and schmaltzy), it dares to be different. Plus, while schmaltzy, it juxtaposes it with intense cynicism and the end result is surprisingly watchable. This is especially important because this reviewer generally HATES Joan Crawford movies (I just didn't think she could act)!
Okay, the movie begins with Joan visiting Ireland and being introduced to Esther Costello--a teen rendered deaf and blind after a frightful childhood accident. Crawford is very rich and takes pity on her and tries to get her the best medical care--but her problems seem incurable. Well, Joan takes her to a deaf/blind school and intends to pay for her to stay. However, she becomes very attached to Esther and instead of just leaving her there as she originally intended, she stays with her and becomes her personal teacher. Eventually, she is able to get through to her and train Esther to read braille and communicate. This part of the movie is pretty inspiring--some might say TOO MUCH, but this cynical reviewer liked this part of the film.
Joan later realizes that there must be many other kids out there like Esther who need help, so she decides to form the "Esther Costello Foundation" to fund the training of deaf/blind individuals. The organization takes off wildly, as Esther herself is a terrific public speaker (with, of course, the help of Joan to translate).
At this point, Joan's estranged slime-bag of a husband (Rossano Brazzi) comes out of the woodwork. He proclaims his undying love for Joan and they are reconciled. He feigns interest in the organization and helps Joan to greatly increase the notoriety of the foundation. Unfortunately, unknown to Joan is that Mr. Slimebag actually is siphoning off funds and has a more than paternal interest in the lovely Esther. Eventually, this piece of filth rapes Esther but is later discovered by Joan. In the end, she kills herself and Rossano, but only after she determines that the nice reporter she's known all through the film is interested in marrying and taking care of Esther. Had the movie ended EXACTLY like this, it would have received a 9. BUT, the schmaltzy ending included a miraculous event--Esther's vision AND hearing came back and she and her new husband are the focus of the fade-out!!! The ending is just too unbelievable and detracted greatly from the rest of the film.
PS--An interesting note. At this point in her life, Joan was married to a "big-wig" from Pepsi. In several of her films and in public appearances, she was sure to have bottles of Pepsi or Pepsi posters around for product placement. Towards the first half of the movie, I noticed that, once again, there's the Pepsi!!! Joan stands directly under the biggest and most obvious Pepsi sign. I'm sure, as usual, she insisted in this as part of her contract!
Okay, the movie begins with Joan visiting Ireland and being introduced to Esther Costello--a teen rendered deaf and blind after a frightful childhood accident. Crawford is very rich and takes pity on her and tries to get her the best medical care--but her problems seem incurable. Well, Joan takes her to a deaf/blind school and intends to pay for her to stay. However, she becomes very attached to Esther and instead of just leaving her there as she originally intended, she stays with her and becomes her personal teacher. Eventually, she is able to get through to her and train Esther to read braille and communicate. This part of the movie is pretty inspiring--some might say TOO MUCH, but this cynical reviewer liked this part of the film.
Joan later realizes that there must be many other kids out there like Esther who need help, so she decides to form the "Esther Costello Foundation" to fund the training of deaf/blind individuals. The organization takes off wildly, as Esther herself is a terrific public speaker (with, of course, the help of Joan to translate).
At this point, Joan's estranged slime-bag of a husband (Rossano Brazzi) comes out of the woodwork. He proclaims his undying love for Joan and they are reconciled. He feigns interest in the organization and helps Joan to greatly increase the notoriety of the foundation. Unfortunately, unknown to Joan is that Mr. Slimebag actually is siphoning off funds and has a more than paternal interest in the lovely Esther. Eventually, this piece of filth rapes Esther but is later discovered by Joan. In the end, she kills herself and Rossano, but only after she determines that the nice reporter she's known all through the film is interested in marrying and taking care of Esther. Had the movie ended EXACTLY like this, it would have received a 9. BUT, the schmaltzy ending included a miraculous event--Esther's vision AND hearing came back and she and her new husband are the focus of the fade-out!!! The ending is just too unbelievable and detracted greatly from the rest of the film.
PS--An interesting note. At this point in her life, Joan was married to a "big-wig" from Pepsi. In several of her films and in public appearances, she was sure to have bottles of Pepsi or Pepsi posters around for product placement. Towards the first half of the movie, I noticed that, once again, there's the Pepsi!!! Joan stands directly under the biggest and most obvious Pepsi sign. I'm sure, as usual, she insisted in this as part of her contract!