Madame X

Yes, this film is the "queen of all soap operas," but it has one thing going for it. And that's the acting of Lana Turner, who gives the performance of her career. If you don't shed a tear at the end of this film, you are made of stone!

This glossy remake of an attorney (Keir Dullea) defending a woman accused of murder, not knowing it's his mother is a grand soaper. Lana Turner gives a bravura performance going from ravishing beauty to a haggered drunken sot all in the name of mother love. Veteran actress Constance Bennett is equally good as her conniving mother-in-law. Also in the cast are John Forsythe, Ricardo Montalban and Burgess Meredith as two unsavory characters. Lovely Virginia Grey is also present. Of course no Ross Hunter film would be complete without sumptuous production values, lavish wardrobe and lush surroundings.

Lana Turner, party gal supreme, was a fine actress whose personal life detracted from her fine on-camera work. "The Bad and The Beautiful" "Peyton Place" "Imitation Of Life" and this film "Madame X" are all examples of fine acting. Lana Turner after the Stopanato Murder was given a new lease on her career by Ross Hunter at Universal, and the result was "Imitation of Life" a huge success for Universal and Turner who had an ownership percentage in that hit. Hunter and Turner and Universal reprised in "Portrait In Black" and hit another great home run with a remake of "Madame X" also at Universal. Simply put Lana Turner is outstanding in this film and the last 30 minutes of Madame X has Lana Turner performing as only the best actresses could. Lana Turner should have been nominated, but I gather her party ways, the hangover of the Stompanto murder, etc..left a sour taste with some Academy voters. Fine support by Keir Dullea and terrific seeing Constance Bennett in the role of Lana's wicked Mother In Law. Ms Bennett died soon after filming.

This is a fine Film with Lana Turner robbed of a Nomination.

I admit that the first time I saw this film, I had gone through a box of Kleenex by the end. The second time around, it was a full-length soap opera, but a really good one. And the third time, I thought how silly it was. But all in all, I have to admit that Ms. Turner gave a beautiful and moving performance, and worked well with Ricardo Montalban. In fact, I would have liked to see them work together more.

As one reviewer said, Ms. Turner is supposed to be of the lower class, but that is hard to imagine. Perhaps if Shelly Winters played the role, yes. But Ms. Turner to me, rather then being of lower class, gives the impression of being too beautiful, too playful and too liberal to be part of what appears to be a powerfully conservative and old money family. And realizing this, she descends into that lower class,not because she is, but because her broken self-esteem tells her that is where she aught to be. This self-destruction is more of what makes this film interesting, and to me makes her reuniting with her son almost irrelevant. Overall, when I think of how unimportant this film is, there are certain moments that are hard to forget, and for this reason I give it a 6+.

Madame X is a film best enjoyed by baby boomers and for those who can understand a mother's sacrificial love for her child and family. I am a romantic at heart and I always cry when I see this movie. This movie is not intended for children. I truly love this film. It is much, much better than the 1937 version of Madame X. The movie took a few minutes to draw me in. But I was hooked once bad things started to happen. I love the last scenes in the movie. This is where I always cry. Lana Turner was perfect in this role. Lana Turner's transformation was incredible. Beauty becomes a beast with a deep love hidden in her heart and then transforms into a paragon of motherhood. The director used his camera and lighting well. The musical background is perfect. This is a late night film or a rainy day film where you can blame your wet eyes at the end on the rain. No popcorn here. Just a glass of wine to enjoy this movie with.