Mildred Pierce
The kind of woman most men want - but shouldn't have!
What Veda wants, her mother-Mildred Pierce-provides. Even if Mildred must end her middle-class marriage, climb atop the male-dominated business world and marry a wealthy man she doesn't love. "I'll do anything." Mildred says in explaining her love for her daughter. But does anything include murder?
From a novel by James M. Cain (The Postman Always Rings Twice, Double Indemnity), Mildred Pierce is a classy murder mystery, a stylish film noir told from a woman's point of view. Joan Crawford's Mildred ended a two-year career slump, earned her a Best Actress Academy Award and revitalized her career. Just when you think you got this nominee for five other Oscars including Best Picture figured out, along comes a shocking twist ending!
Member Reviews
a timeless classic - tbird
the lighting in itself is so well done, it is reason to rent the film.the plot is great, the acting is great. you really sympathize with the character of the poor woman trying to survive. the commentary is very interesting as well. i don't believe entirely joan crawford's daughters depiction. her daughter could have been bitter over not inheriting money from her mom. why doesn't the other children step forward and talk?anyways i do recommend this film for sure.A Good Twist - FilmJunkie
Everytime I began to hate this film it swiftly redeemed itself. It is at once a murder mystery, love story and an analysis of the relationship between mothers and daughters.
Joan Crawford plays Mildred Pierce, a woman in the midst of her second marriage when her new husband turns up dead. We make several assumptions at the beginning of the film that are twisted throughout and then turned around on us, and I have to show respect to any film that tricks me.
Through flashbacks we are educated in Mildred's rise to fame and fortune. Jack Carson is smarmy and brilliant as Wally Fay, the man Mildred passes over time and time again until he begins to bite back. Ann Blyth plays Mildred's daughter, Veda, the most spoiled rotten brat I have seen on-screen in a good long while. Blyth reminds me of a combination of Alexis Bledel from 'Gilmore Girls' and Anne Baxter as Eve in 'All About Eve'. She is fantastically wicked and I love that she never redeems herself, this is not the kind of character that should be forgiven.
The standout actor in this film has to be Eve Arden as Ida, Mildred's best friend. Arden has a magnificent power about her that she brings to all her roles and every film with her in it is automatically granted a sly grin and wink. She doesn't need to fall in love or even really think about men, because Ida is a businesswoman through and through.
Crawford won an Oscar for her work here. Here performance is good, but throughout she keeps the same small personality that Mildred had as a housewife. I just didn't see the evolution of her character through this performance. I think the film is bigger than her and it relies much more on strong supporting characters.
An interesting film that had me fooled.Extremely engaging and Very Disturbing - Radio_Jane
What is it about an absolutely disturbing story that makes such an intriguing film? This was a gut wrenching tale, a story that makes the viewer at once uncomfortable and fascinated. Joan Crawford gives a wonderful performance as a woman insanely devoted to her money grubbing, manipulative shrew of a daughter. Sublimating her own unhappiness by giving all to her child, Mildred Pierce is a compelling character. Ann Blythe is also excellent as the evil Veda, and Eve Arden, at her wisecracking best, is an absolute treat. If you enjoy an edge of your seat psycho thriller, this is the one for you.
Member Reviews
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a timeless classic - tbird
the lighting in itself is so well done, it is reason to rent the film.the plot is great, the acting is great. you really sympathize with the character of the poor woman trying to survive. the commentary is very interesting as well. i don't believe entirely ...A Good Twist - FilmJunkie
Everytime I began to hate this film it swiftly redeemed itself. It is at once a murder mystery, love story and an analysis of the relationship between mothers and daughters.
Joan Crawford plays Mildred Pierce, a woman in the midst of her second marriage ...Extremely engaging and Very Disturbing - Radio_Jane
What is it about an absolutely disturbing story that makes such an intriguing film? This was a gut wrenching tale, a story that makes the viewer at once uncomfortable and fascinated. Joan Crawford gives a wonderful performance as a woman insanely devoted to ...