The Story of Esther Costello

Crackpot script from Charles Kaufman, based on Nicholas Monsarrat's novel, involves a middle-aged socialite (Joan Crawford) who is introduced to an unfortunate Irish girl rendered blind, deaf and mute by an explosion five years prior. Taking the tremulous child under her wing, the wealthy matron helps educate and makeover young Esther, resulting in a flurry of publicity and an international Good Will tour. Interesting, if unexciting, mix of bleeding-heart sympathies and the sort of emotional fireworks which skirt "Mildred Pierce" territory, the film nevertheless brings up some involving issues (such as young Esther's inadvertently becoming a cash cow for the exploitation market, as well as arousing the lust of Crawford's shady husband). Production values high, yet the movie fails to convince or satisfy. Crawford's breathy condescension is meant to substitute for an impassioned nature, but she doesn't bring any dimension to her role; as a result, one feels the actress is sticking mainly to externals and faking her way through. ** from ****