"Inside Daisy Clover" stars Natalie Wood and it's a film about a girl with a great voice who makes it big. Oddly, however, Miss Wood's singing was dubbed by another woman. Either the studio had no faith in her singing or her voice was weak...either way it seemed unusual to make such a casting choice. But it isn't unprecidented...Hollywood often dubbed its stars in musicals...and as recently as "My Fair Lady" which was made the year before "Inside Daisy Clover". But considering that the story is supposed to be about a teen (and Wood was a bit too old to convincingly carry this off), you do get the impression that the studio was really fixated on casting Wood regardless of her suitablity. By the way, I am NOT criticizing Wood...she was a wonderful actress...just not the best for this particular role.
The film begins in the 30s and Daisy (Wood) is a teen living with her extremely eccentric mother. It's hard to determine when watching the picture how mentally ill or capable Mrs. Clover (Ruth Gordon) was...but she certainly was NOT a normal lady. In fact, after Daisy's gift for music is discovered, the folks grooming her for success somehow have the embarrassing mother institutionalized...and young Daisy, though upset, goes along with this. What else must she sacrifice on the road to success?? See the film and find out for yourself...just know there will be a lot of sacrifices!
In many ways, this film is a lot like "A Star is Born" merged with a cynical movie about Tinseltown such as "The Bad and the Beautiful"....sort of a flip side of success picture. But it's also an odd amalgum of the 1930s...with a strong 1960s look to it. Kwindrum's review of the film and this odd style is spot on.
So is it any good? Yes...but nothing you should run out to see. Good but not as drenched in cynicism and despair as a few of the other anti-Hollywood pics. Much of it is because of the movie's odd style and lack of subtlety. As a result, it's good but just manages to miss the mark which might have made it great.
