Leona Helmsley: Queen of Mean (1990) Review

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(More customer reviews)This made-for-TV movie was based on the novel of the same name, by Piers Randsdell, and follows Randsdell's expose quite well. While the movie shows determination to show some compassion for Leona Helmsley, more so than the book, the hard, cold fact is that she is a very unlikable person.
From her childhood competition against her sisters for her mother's affections, through her first and second marriages, and forward into her opulent life as Mrs. Harry Helmsley, Leona showed admirable determination to better herself. Unfortunately, what might have been a commendable trait turned into a greed so self-focused that it became a shroud of ugliness rather than a cape of courage.
It's hard to believe that an intelligent businessman was so manipulated by this shark in woman's clothing, but only sharks swim with sharks, and Harry Helmsley was no innocent victim to this diabolical schemer. Leona could have written a book called `How to manipulate stupid rich men', highlighting the parts of inane flattery and a fake engagement to drive Helmsley into a decision.
Sharks also only give birth to sharks, and Leona's son Jay follows in his mother's footsteps by embezzling money from the Helmsley's themselves when appointed a cushy position in one of Harry's hotel chains. Leona did seem to be quite upset when Jay dies of a heart attack at a young age, but the Mean overrules the Queen when she disowns Jay's widow and her own grandchildren, cutting them off completely from any contact or inheritance.
From making her assistant wipe her shoes, to firing decorators so that she can take the credit, going off over wet lettuce, furnishing her private home through business purchases, and most of all believing that money allowed her to treat "little people" like Dirt, Leona Helmsley is truly the Queen Of Mean.
Especially for a made-for-TV movie, The Queen Of Mean is a definite jewel if you can find a copy. The VHS is hard to find, and it's too much to hope for this well adapted movie to come out on DVD (though my fingers are crossed). Look for an absolutely spectacular performances from Suzanne Pleshette as Leona Helmsley, and Lloyd Bridges as Harry Helmsley. Special mention to Raymond Singer as Jay, and a well fleshed out supporting cast.
Pleshette and Bridges really make the movie happen, I doubt it would have been as good with any other leads. I'm lucky enough to have an older VHS copy, so if dramatized biographies are your cup of tea, you may want to seek out a copy of this excellent film. Enjoy!


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