Baby Jane: A Haunting Tale of Sibling Rivalry and Psychological Torment
Introduction
"Baby Jane" is a 1962 American psychological thriller film directed by Robert Aldrich and starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The film tells the story of two aging sisters, Jane Hudson (Davis) and Blanche Hudson (Crawford), who live together in a dilapidated mansion in Hollywood. Jane, a former child star, is now a bitter and resentful invalid, while Blanche is a successful actress who has always overshadowed her sister. As tensions between the sisters escalate, Jane’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent, leading to a chilling climax that exposes the depths of her twisted psyche.
Plot Summary
The film opens with Jane and Blanche living together in their decaying mansion. Jane, confined to a wheelchair, is cared for by Blanche, who has given up her career to look after her sister. However, Jane’s resentment towards Blanche has festered over the years, and she takes every opportunity to torment her.
One day, Blanche announces that she is planning to marry her fiancé, Edwin Flagg (Victor Buono). Jane is furious and vows to prevent the wedding. She begins by sabotaging Blanche’s car, causing her to have an accident. Blanche is injured, but she survives.
Undeterred, Jane continues her campaign of terror. She locks Blanche in her room, starves her, and even tries to kill her by setting fire to the house. Blanche is desperate and afraid, but she refuses to give up.
As the situation spirals out of control, Jane’s mental state deteriorates. She becomes increasingly delusional and violent. She believes that she is still a child star, and she dresses up in her old costumes and sings her old songs.
In a final act of desperation, Blanche calls the police. Jane is arrested and taken to a mental institution. Blanche is finally free from her sister’s torment, but she is forever scarred by the experience.
Characters
Jane Hudson (Bette Davis)
Jane is a complex and tragic character. She is a former child star who was once adored by the public. However, her career was cut short by a car accident that left her paralyzed. Jane has never been able to come to terms with her loss of fame and fortune, and she has become bitter and resentful. She takes out her anger on her sister, Blanche, who she believes has stolen her life.
Blanche Hudson (Joan Crawford)
Blanche is Jane’s younger sister. She is a successful actress who has always overshadowed her sister. Blanche is kind and compassionate, but she is also weak and submissive. She allows Jane to torment her because she is afraid of her.
Edwin Flagg (Victor Buono)
Edwin is Blanche’s fiancé. He is a wealthy and charming man, but he is also a bit of a creep. He is attracted to Blanche’s vulnerability, and he sees her as an easy target.
Themes
"Baby Jane" explores a number of dark and disturbing themes, including:
- Sibling rivalry: The film is a classic example of sibling rivalry taken to its extreme. Jane and Blanche are two sisters who have always been in competition with each other. Jane’s resentment towards Blanche has festered over the years, and it eventually leads to violence.
- Psychological torment: Jane’s behavior towards Blanche is a form of psychological torment. She uses her sister’s fears and insecurities to manipulate and control her. Blanche is a victim of Jane’s abuse, and she is unable to escape.
- Mental illness: Jane is clearly mentally ill. She suffers from delusions, hallucinations, and violent outbursts. Her mental illness is a major factor in her behavior towards Blanche.
Critical Reception
"Baby Jane" was a critical and commercial success. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Bette Davis, and Best Supporting Actress for Joan Crawford. Davis won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.
The film has been praised for its performances, its suspenseful plot, and its exploration of dark and disturbing themes. It is considered one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made.
Legacy
"Baby Jane" has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The film has been parodied and referenced in numerous other works of art, including the 1981 film "Mommie Dearest" and the 2013 television series "American Horror Story: Asylum."
The film has also been credited with helping to revive the careers of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Davis had been struggling to find work in Hollywood in the 1950s, but her performance in "Baby Jane" earned her critical acclaim and a new generation of fans. Crawford had also been struggling in her career, but her performance in "Baby Jane" helped her to regain her status as a major star.
"Baby Jane" is a classic film that continues to fascinate and disturb audiences today. It is a powerful exploration of sibling rivalry, psychological torment, and mental illness. The film’s performances, suspenseful plot, and dark themes make it a must-see for fans of psychological thrillers.
Additional Analysis
The Relationship Between Jane and Blanche
The relationship between Jane and Blanche is complex and twisted. Jane is clearly jealous of Blanche’s success, and she resents the fact that Blanche has always overshadowed her. Blanche, on the other hand, is afraid of Jane. She knows that Jane is capable of violence, and she is afraid of what she might do.
The sisters’ relationship is a cycle of abuse. Jane abuses Blanche, and Blanche allows herself to be abused. Blanche is afraid to stand up to Jane, and she is afraid to leave her. She is trapped in a cycle of violence and fear.
Jane’s Mental Illness
Jane’s mental illness is a major factor in her behavior towards Blanche. Jane suffers from delusions, hallucinations, and violent outbursts. She is unable to control her behavior, and she is a danger to herself and others.
Jane’s mental illness is a result of a number of factors, including her childhood trauma, her failed career, and her physical disability. Jane has never been able to come to terms with her loss of fame and fortune, and she has become bitter and resentful. Her physical disability has also made her dependent on Blanche, and she resents the fact that she has to rely on her sister for help.
The Ending of the Film
The ending of "Baby Jane" is both tragic and satisfying. Jane is arrested and taken to a mental institution, and Blanche is finally free from her sister’s torment. However, the ending is also bittersweet. Blanche has been scarred by her experience, and she will never be able to forget what Jane did to her.
The ending of the film is a reminder that there is no easy way to escape from abuse. Blanche may have escaped from Jane’s physical abuse, but she will never be able to escape from the psychological scars that Jane has left on her.