Mildred Pierce (1945)

I came to this with high expectations, and ended feeling somewhat disappointed. Sure, the look was great (excellent camera work) and the music superb. Joan Crawford was good for her part, but so much of her speech was exposition—not at all conversational or realistic. Jack Carson and Eve Arden were scene-stealers whenever they were in shot—fantastic. The rest of the cast were wooden in their performances, almost reading their lines and so obviously "acting." And the writing was a real disappointment. Take each conversation, and it's hard to believe that anyone would ever talk that way. Still, I've seen plenty worse! But it isn't really a movie that I would have any desire to revisit.

Joan Crawford won an Oscar for her portrayal of a mother whose determination to make a better life for her daughter leads to disastrous outcomes. Whereas Crawford is now known as abusive towards her children, "Mildred Pierce" casts her as a caring individual, while her daughter is the brutal one. Michael Curtiz's adaptation of James M. Cain's novel creates a truly noir setting. None of the characters can truly get called a "good" or "bad" person, even though plenty of them do questionable things.Without a doubt, the bulk of the credit has to go to Crawford. Her facial expressions are enough to chill you. Good performances also come from the rest of the cast, but Michael Curtiz's - of "Casablanca" fame - direction merits praise. The camera angles, lighting, and overall pace of the movie create one of the most intense movies that you'll ever see. I don't know what James M. Cain - of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" fame - thought of this adaptation, but I recommend it.As for movies about Joan Crawford, "Mommie Dearest" has a trashy reputation, but I took it seriously. I understand that Ryan Murphy has produced an upcoming miniseries about the production of "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?", starring Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford and Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis. This sounds good. In the mean time, definitely see "Mildred Pierce" (I still haven't seen Todd Haynes's 2011 miniseries starring Kate Winslet).

Zachary Scott (Monte) is shot dead at the beginning of the film and the police make arrests. His wife Joan Crawford (Mildred) is one of those arrested and relates her story in flashback to Inspector Moroni Olsen (Peterson) but Olsen is playing a cat-and-mouse game with his interview technique in order to catch the killer.I liked this film. It has nice sets and a good story. You spend time double guessing where the story will go and sometimes you get it right. Sometimes you don't. The cast are all good portraying their characters how they need to be with the exception of the ridiculous comedy maid Butterfly McQueen (Lottie). She loses the film a mark and should have been completely deleted from the film. What an annoying voice! The film has a lesson for all - don't spoil your children. If you think they are turning into daughter Ann Blyth (Veda) kick them out immediately and cease communication. It's the only way.

Mildred Pierce is a film about a single mother who is by all means fight against poverty and in the end her wins. However, the fight with the ungrateful and mentally ill daughter can not be measured not with wealth nor with prosperity. Family suffering of main protagonist is greater than the mysterious murders with which the film begins. One extremely strong and complex female characters disrupted selfish and spoiled daughter.The relationship between mothers and daughters is it definitely the biggest problem in the film. I am convinced that the mother should often hold educational lessons to her older daughter. In this case, the struggle for survival woman away from loved one. Death of younger daughter is shown too transient to be convincing. Life goes on. Ruin this little life that is left.The film is filled with vague premises that lead to quite a clear conclusion. The older daughter is a definite cause of the problem and the story ends. Love of parents towards children is strong, but I think that love is not solely responsible for making good person.Joan Crawford as Mildred Pierce Beragon is a strong and capable woman. How much is actually smart!? Blind love for a living child is illogical. Today, similar examples are often present. Almost always lead to a certain extreme. She wants her kid to be happy. Luckily that never existed has its price.Ann Blyth as Veda Pierce Forrester is pretty amazing. The actress who is in every sense unconvincing makes a good impression.Mildred Pierce is a film that lacks style. Emotions are strong, but a little impersonal. Description of characters, except the main female character, is not impressive. This movie I'd never led in the context of the situation of women in society.