The Cracker Factory (1979)

Very well executed

Sick Product of a Sick System

One of my all time favorites.

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Yup it's made for TV not a major Hollywood studio production supported by all it's "Star Making Machinery", (which was in place in Wood's early days). NONETHELESS There is much to be admired and appreciated in this tour de force perfornance. Made NO LESS Relevant with the passing years NOR with the passing of Ms Wood herself where Booze was by all believable accounts a huge factor. It was by all reputable accounts a night of drunken brawling. JR has some 'splaining to do' Still! Overall though the message here is "Don't hide behind the "disease model" of addiction. Take accountability.

Natalie Wood in an unsung tour-de-force, playing relatively ordinary housewife and mother who has a mental collapse. Adaptation of Joyce Burditt's popular book, this TV-movie attempts to deal with touchy subject matter in a straightforward, mature, non-exploitive manner, and for the most part is quite successful. While in recovery mode, Wood is unblinking and unblushing, whether relaying her character's personal feelings or describing childhood haunts. The narrative is a bit clogged with medical minutiae (I would've preferred to see more of Wood at home with her family), however the results are relatively well-wrought and quite memorable, and Natalie's work is blessedly unaffected and heartfelt.

Natalie Wood's performance in 'The Cracker Factory' is quite simply, brilliant. The fact she wasn't nominated for an Emmy for this performance is unforgivable. Her character is a nuanced mix of and belligerence and insecurity - with real depth and humour. When she found a part she could really relate to, there was such honesty in her work.The film itself rises above the 70's telemovie 'disease of the week' cliche, although it would have made an interesting feature film under the right director.It's a shame that Natalie died two years after this film, it would have been fascinating to watch her grow and mature as an actress. We have such a great gallery of portraits from her - from child parts (Tomorrow is Forever, Miracle on 34th St) to ingenue roles (Rebel Without a Cause) to the leading lady material of Splendor in the Grass and Love with the Proper Stranger. She didn't do too many films in the 70's or 80's - but The Cracker Factory shows how well she had developed.Great support by Shelley Long, Juliet Mills etc... (the music score is a little distracting though - esp. during her speech to Perry King)I have seen the movie several times and am floored by Wood's performance each time. Highly recommended.

Of course, the book is usually better. The author has time to develope the characters, while the film makers do not. That having been said, "The Cracker Factory" is a very good movie. I was pleasantly surprised. Natalie Wood did a remarkably good job of bringing Joyce Burditt's "Cassie" to life. The supporting cast was also good, especially Juliet Mills as Tinkerbell, the night nurse. A good book to read, a good movie to watch, either way, you won't feel let down.