 It is 1939, Joan Crawford is one of Hollywood s biggest stars. But she tells boyfriend lawyer Greg Savitt that she isn t content living in her Brentwood mansion with just her devoted secretary Carol Ann and housekeeper Helga. Greg arranges for Joan to adopt a baby girl. Joan names her Christina and promises "to give her all the things I never had." But Joan is obsessed with perfection, and Christina finds it impossible to live up to her mother s standards.