Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

If you're looking for a movie to put you to sleep, you couldn't do better than this, last (one hopes) version of Madame X. Not only is it stupefyingly slow and empty (the scarcity of characters emphasised by the huge rooms), the actors seem to be sleepwalking, and the writers were definitely nodding. There are enough holes in the story big enough for elephants to stampede through. A couple of hours after Lana Turner's evil mother-in-law orders her to disappear rather than disgrace the family, she gives her a false passport. How did this Connecticut housewife come up with that? I guess we're supposed to assume that rich people can do anything. On the last day of the trial, Turner hears her attorney's full name for the first time-- apparently she hasn't been paying too much attention. We are never told why Turner, who receives money to live on, descends into near- destitution while becoming an alcoholic. (Liquor isn't that expensive. Or perhaps the money hasn't increased in the twenty-plus years she has been away?) And why does Turner travel to Denmark? Why to Mexico? Why does her mother-in-law hate her so much for having been a salesgirl (which we are not told until the marriage is several years old) and say that she disgraces the family? We have not seen Turner do or say anything ignorant or vulgar.One has to assume that the writers knew they were dealing with something irredeemable, didn't care, and assumed the audience would not care or wouldn't notice. The latter seems reasonable in view of the fact that Madame X is full of not only carelessness but fantasy. We are supposed to believe that nothing changes in the world of fashion-- she and Constance Bennett are shown in the clothes and hairstyles of the time the movie was made when the action is taking place in the early Forties, and the decor in Ricardo Montalban's apartment is Sixties as well. And of course nobody mentions the war. A young lawyer is given, as the first case he ever tries, a murder case. The trial proceeds with arguments and testimony that anyone who has watched a few courtroom dramas would know to be ridiculous. The biggest fantasy pertains to Turner. We are supposed to believe that this matronly woman, 45 if she is a day, is, at the beginning of the picture, in her early twenties. We are supposed to believe, as more than one man demonstrates, that to know her is to adore her, even though she says and does nothing interesting or appealing. In other words, this is a big fantasy for the not-very-bright middle- aged woman who loves TV soap opera. Because that is what Madame X is, a blown- up, hollow version of daytime TV.Incidentally, why is she Madame X and not Mrs. X? She is not French, and none of the picture takes place in France. But the original play was French and the earlier movies were set there, not in, like this movie, New York and Connecticut. But a brand name is a brand name-- Madame X is the famous title, so it must be adhered to. Besides, calling the movie Mrs. X would be too appropriate: the humble, ordinary name would much more accurately describe this movie, which, for all the expensive gowns and jewels, is drab and cheap.

The often filmed Alexandre Bisson play had been through various variations (including two talking pictures) when Ross Hunter pulled this rabbit out of his tear stained hat for Lana Turner's final "A" picture before she moved down, down, down the ladder of movie stardom. Having already had her pull a Fanny Hurst (with "Imitation of Life"), Hunter went way out of his way for a lavish treat that reeks of the later prime-time soaps where faded movie stars (such as Turner and her leading man John Forsythe) made tremendous come-backs.Forsythe is a blue-blooded Bridgeport Connecticut diplomat, returning from his honeymoon with his beautiful bride (Turner), graciously greeted by his elegant mother (the still gorgeous Constance Bennett) who immediately throws them a huge society gala since she was unable to plan the lavish wedding she had wanted for her only child. It is at this party where the audience first glimpses Bennett's antipathy towards her new daughter-in-law, looking on in concern as Turner is swept away by the romantic Latin Lothario Phil Benton (Ricardo Montalban) who is notorious amongst lonely society ladies and begins to squire Turner around while Forsythe is away on diplomatic business. It explodes when Turner tries to break off with the future Mr. Rourke, finding no Fantasy Island with his possessiveness. An accidental fall down the stairs results in a broken neck and a tongue-lashing from the mother-in-law who had seemed so Brooke Astor before being revealed to be more like Rose Kennedy. Banishment follows with Turner being presumed dead, and even with an annual allowance from Bennett, Turner sinks into degradation, desperately missing her young son.After breaking the heart of a renowned musician (John Van Dreelen), Turner ends up in Mexico where now a drunk Turner (with caterpillar like eyebrows) is rescued from whiskey withdrawal and an angry landlord by the opportunistic Burgess Meredith. He discovers her secret past and arranges for them to go to New York where Turner turns to murder to keep her secrets and to protect her son. On trial for killing the sleazy Penguin, it is none other than her own son (Keir Dullea in a heart-felt performance) who defends her, and when a gray haired Forsythe and white haired Bennett show up in court, the truth is threatened to be revealed.Dramatic music by Frank Skinner highlights the emotions of this weeper where unless your nickname is Scrooge, you are destined to start balling. Fascinating silent reactions in court by Forsythe and Bennett add to the dramatic tension, as does Dullea's emotional involvement in the case. No expense seems to be spared in the elegant settings, and everything is appropriately lush and dramatic. Turner's performance goes from slightly insecure bride to lonely wife to lost soul, and when she turns up in Mexico looking even older than a blowzy Joan Blondell or Ann Sothern, the effect is shocking. Her drunk scenes are fascinating, and she will wow you in the emotional court scenes. Montalban and Meredith are appropriately sleazy, and Forsythe is as elegant (if not as hot tempered) as he was as Blake on "Dynasty". Frank Maxwell, best remembered for his role as the compassionate hospital administrator for years on "General Hospital", is very good as the New York doctor (presumably at the Tombs) who treats Turner and stands by her throughout the trial.However, the acting honors to to the understated Constance Bennett who appears almost to be Turner's contemporary in the first half hour. While I would have loved to have seen Hunter's first choice (Kay Francis) in this part, I was very impressed with Ms. Bennett. Sadly her swansong (as she passed away prior to the premiere), Bennett makes a lasting impression that you'll never forget. While there are many elements in the film that could be considered preposterous or melodramatic, there are many that are satisfying and emotional moments that make this a must-see, a repeat viewer and ultimately, one of the classic cult films to come out of the 1960's.

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.

As I read through all the reviews for this film, I was shocked by two things--that people thought it was a good film and that they thought it was a drama. Considering how over the top melodramatic it is, I really thought it was a comedy--albeit an unintentional one! The film starts with Holly (Lana Turner--who was too old for the part) marrying John--a very wealthy man who has ambitions to go into politics. At first, they are happy but after a while John's ambitions take him away from home--a lot. In the meantime, she spends time with another man (Ricardo Montalban) but their relationship is quite chaste. However, when he slips and falls down some stairs to his death, Holly's mother-in-law (Constance Bennett) blackmails her into running off and faking her death, as the mother-in-law THINKS Holly killed her lover! I have no idea why, but Holly agrees--and most of the rest of the film is spent watching Turner show a wide variety of pained looks--ones that look like she's dealing with a bad case of the cramps. All the while, you CONSTANTLY hear the most ridiculously overbearing and ridiculous music. In fact, clearly the music is the worst thing about the film. But you also can't ignore the last half hour--one of the most ridiculously sentimental and stupid half hours in film history (you've just gotta hear Keir Dullea's speech to believe it)! Overall, this is a glossy and beautiful looking bad movie...in a kitschy sort of way. I frankly found much of it laugh out loud funny because the film took itself so seriously but was so seriously bad in the process.By the way, the doctor's comments about absinthe, though believed at the time, are utter nonsense. In fact, the wine industry created all these rumors about absinthe causing brain abnormalities and death! In recent years, it's once again been legalized because it's a potent yet harmless liquor.