Feud

Feud: Bette and Joan is a captivating American anthology television series released in 2017 by FX. Developed by Ryan Murphy, Jaffe Cohen, and Michael Zam, the show presents a brilliant dramatization of the real-life rivalry between silver screen legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The series exclusively stands out as it delves deeply into the intricate animosity and competition that existed between the two actresses during their lifetimes.

The eight-episode season zeroes in on the anatomy of the legendary feud that unfolded during and after the filming of the thriller 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?', a movie that marked the turning point in both actresses’ careers. The series traces the origins of the feud from the earliest days of their careers, to its climax on the set of 'Baby Jane' and beyond. However, this is not just a tale of rivalry but also a narrative of struggle, survival, and hardship in Hollywood and the relentless pursuit of success against ageism, sexism, and misogyny.

Feud: Bette and Joan stars Academy Award winner Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford and Academy Award nominee Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis. The stellar supporting cast includes Alfred Molina, Stanley Tucci, Judy Davis, and Jackie Hoffman. In addition to the show's primary characters, there are also many actors portraying real-life figures who contributed to the tension, including notable performances from Kathy Bates and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

The series captures the essence of old Hollywood glamour and the adversities of the golden age, encapsulating the incredible performances given by Sarandon and Lange. The show decided not to portray either Davis or Crawford as the antagonist, instead choosing to highlight both of their perspectives to give viewers a rounded understanding of the complexity of their relationship. By doing so, Murphy and his team have laced the narrative with human sympathies rather than simple antagonism.

Lange's portrayal of Crawford is truly hypnotic as she embodies the star's desperate need for recognition, coupled with a sharply heightened sense of paranoia. Meanwhile, Sarandon’s Davis emerges as the blunt, more ambitious and focused of the two, who is repeatedly thwarted by the Hollywood system. This alternating perspective adds texture to the relationship between the two leading characters, and the allure of the series lies as much in its exploration of its title characters as individuals as it does in their legendary rivalry.

Feud: Bette and Joan also stands as an interrogation of Hollywood's treatment of its veteran actresses. The series explores the prejudice and ageism that both Davis and Crawford faced during their careers. The anthology format allows Murphy and his team to explore the hardships faced by these Hollywood icons - from petty squabbles to deep emotional cuts. By using the era's views on aging actresses as a backdrop, the show echoes the undercurrent of ageism in Hollywood that still exists today.

Feud leverages the golden age aesthetic, providing the glitz and glam factor, with excellent costume and set design that fully immerse the audience in the 1960s setting. The team behind the series crafted meticulous recreations of the actual environments, making these long-gone settings not only believable but palpable in every frame.

In conclusion, Feud: Bette and Joan offers viewers an intriguing and insightful view of the complex relationship between two of Hollywood's most iconic actresses. While these two are at the heart of the series, the show goes beyond their personal battles to reveal their struggles against a system that often proved discriminatory and unkind. This engrossing behind-the-scenes narrative about the Hollywood film industry in the 1960s navigates the intersections of ageism, sexism, and misogyny, offering a rich story full of depth and substance. For fans of old Hollywood, or those eager to understand the historical context of the industry, the series is a must-watch.