Customer Reviews

Mildred Pierce (DVD/Blu-ray Collector's Edition)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

When I heard that one of my favorite indie directors, Todd Haynes, was going to revisit the classic "Mildred Pierce" envisioned by hard boiled novelist James M. Cain--I was undeniably stoked and have patiently awaited the arrival of this new interpretation. Of course, everyone knows that an original film version won Joan Crawford an Oscar (not to mention inspired my second favorite Carol Burnett show)--but that presentation was more forties melodrama than classic Cain. Haynes has already proven a knack for period detail with the Douglas Sirk homage "Far From Heaven" (my favorite film of the year it was released), so I thought he might bring new life to this familiar tale. And, indeed he has. Eschewing some of the irony and romanticism that I had expected, Haynes has opted instead for a downbeat realism that highlights the Depression era class struggles in much more detail than the previous film version.

I must admit that I literally sat there and watched the entire 5 hour HBO story from start to finish. Of course, if you have a life--you probably aren't going to do the same and that's undoubtedly a good thing. I think it is best to let this "Mildred Pierce" unfold at its own leisurely pace. In truth, for my taste, the program runs a little long at five hours. Less patient viewers might struggle with the first part and its lengthy set-up, but things heat up considerably the further into the miniseries you progress. I respect Haynes' decision to modulate the narrative pacing--it certainly gives you more of an opportunity to get invested in the characterizations. So even if you initially question where the story is going and how long it will take to get there, rest assured that patience will be rewarded.

"Mildred Pierce," at heart, is a tale of mother love and sacrifice. As Mildred, Kate Winslet seems a perfect muse to illuminate both the strength and the desperation inherent in the character. Her devotion to daughter Veda can, at times, be challenging to understand--but the miniseries is much more able to flesh out the multi-layered dynamic that keeps Mildred from being a complete sap. Veda is haughty, snobbish, and self-involved--and Mildred is both her willing victim and her enabler. Mildred rises from broke housewife to restaurant entrepreneur, but is always a source of embarrassment to the entitled girl. And through the show, the ladies contend with the various men in their lives including Brian F. O'Byrne as Veda's father and Guy Pearce as a carefree playboy that might just prove dangerous for the pair.

Winslet gives a gritty and natural performance throughout. Even as tensions rise, she maintains a grounded sensibility that keeps things from veering into overwrought territory. Pearce has an oily allure and has turned into a really terrific character actor. I loved, loved, loved young Morgan Turner as the girlhood Veda. I laughed every time she said something. She speaks with such haughty precision, but isn't quite the monster that Crawford had to deal with. Perhaps the most difficult role to pull off in a naturalistic piece is the adult Veda. We don't even see Evan Rachel Wood until the final episodes and she decides to lay it all on the line. But oddly enough, this choice to go big absolutely heightens the drama of the concluding chapters. Cain is known for sexually charged crime stories--The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity, for example--and that is also territory that "Mildred Pierce" covers. But where the movie led with a crime, Haynes' version builds to one. And I think Cain would appreciate this decidedly less glamorous approach to his hard edged piece. A beautiful production--this longer version is much like reading a fine novel, but might not be for those looking for instant gratification. KGHarris, 4/11.

MILDRED PIERCE may be an old story - class values and the Depression circa 1931 as remember form the 1945 film written by James M Cain and starring Joan Crawford - but in the hands of writer/director Todd Haynes and Jon Raymond and especially in the sensational performances offered by Kate Winslet et al the story takes on a new luster in the current economic situation in which we find ourselves. This is not meant to be a review of the entire miniseries, but instead a signal to those who may be avoiding this version, not caring to forget the 1945 version.

Mildred Pierce (Kate Winslet) is suffering quietly in a marriage where the 'essentially unemployed' husband (Brían F. O'Byrne) is having an affair to fill his idle hours and when Mildred discovers this she sends him packing: she has two daughters to raise in a 'proper way' and is encouraged by her friend and neighbor (Melissa Leo) to live her own life. Mildred becomes employed as a waitress (much to the chagrin of her snotty daughter Veda - Morgan Turner) and eventually turns her waitressing into a business of her own (she has always sold her pies and cakes for income), taking up with her husband's 'friend' (James LeGros) who later helps her finance her ventures in the restaurant business. As Mildred celebrates her success in readying her restaurant she meets a dashing rich lad from Pasadena (Guy Pearce) and after a spur of the moment one night trip to Santa Barbara she returns very happy only to find her younger daughter Ray is hospitalized...and the story will be continued.

For those who may have doubts about extending the original 90 minute movie into a 5 hour miniseries, have no fear. The expansion of the story is well conceived and executed - and the opportunity to see Kate Winslet own this role is well worth the time. Grady Harp, March 11

In Todd Haynes adaptation of "Mildred Pierce," gone is the noir drama of the 1945 movie of the same name with Joan Crawford, and some screenwriting from William Faulkner, and it's replaced with a more faithful to the James M Cain novel, which is a much more realistic portrayal of the times, and captures the bright realism of the novel which is plays more like a Edward Hopper painting than noir.

As in the novel, Mildred Pierce is a `grass widow,' which is depression era parlance for a divorced woman, needs to support her family of two children, Veda and Ray, because her husband Bert can't find a job and is carrying out an affair with a married woman. After Mildred throws Bert out she finds she only has skills enough for restaurant work and making pies. An employment agency sends her out on a job as a maid but pride won't allow her to take the job because she has to wear a uniform and defer to the lady of the house. Recuperating from the humiliation she felt at having to take a job as a maid in a diner she discovers they need a new waitress, and Mildred swallows her pride and takes the job. She quickly learns all the in's and out's of the restaurant business and opens her own, which in short order is successful. Her daughter Veda, who seems to have been born a snob, continually humiliates Mildred and those around her she considers of a lower social status (Why Veda feels that way we're never told, except from glimpses of Mildred behaving the same way such as kicking Bert only because she didn't get a winter fur coat) shows an interest in, and talent for playing the piano and as she grows older becomes an operatic singer. On the eve of opening her first restaurant Mildred meets, and has an affair with Monty Beragon, a faded aristocrat who's fortune's are in decline while Mildred's fortunes incline.

"Mildred Pierce" hangs squarely on Kate Winslet's shoulders as Mildred, not only does she turn in a strong performance she works in some nuances that inform the viewer of some of the texture of the novel.

Guy Pearce as Monty Beragon has another role, while not totally disappearing into the character gives a performance of the character that starts as a carefree playboy, to a rangy dissipate, while his appearance mirrors that change. His demeanor at first quite carefree but as time goes on, the elements that make Monty a charming aristocrat in decline darken and we see those same elements of him in a different light.

Rachael Evan Walker doesn't show up as the older Veda until part 4 and while she shows some very affected mannerisms for the snobbish Veda. Towards the end looks very vampiric as Veda takes everything Mildred has. Unfortunately, other than two very tempestuous scenes, that she makes the most of, Wood is mostly shown singing at various operatic venues. As the younger Veda, Morgan Turner is the snobbish, haughty child who you would like to slap her face off for her affrontery.

Mare Winningham as Ida is totally wasted in a part that could have been played by anyone. The two main male characters Bert (Brian F O'Byrne) and Wally Burgan (James LeGros) aren't given much to do except react to Mildred, especially Bert. But then they're weren't given a lot to do in the Cain novel either.

Since it follows the novel so closely it has some of the failings of the novel. There isn't a lot of action or inner drama. Some of the dialogue feels clunky pulled right from the novel, whether it's because some of the vernacular has become anachronistic since Cain wrote the novel in 1941, or it was clumsily written by Cain. An example, Veda's dialogue some times doesn't sound like a real person would say it, but a character in a book would.

HBO also has a half hour making of "Mildred Pierce" that I'm sure will make it to the DVD when they release it.

"Mildred Pierce" was a 1945 black and white film noir. It was based on the 1941 novel of the same name by James Cain ("The Postman Always Rings Twice", "Double Indemnity"), but the film was very different from the book. The film was nominated for 6 Oscars (Actress, Picture, Screenplay, Supporting Actress for Eve Arden and Ann Blyth, Cinematography) but only Crawford won. The 1945 version stands as one of the finest versions of film noir ever made.

So why on earth would anyone want to film it again? The reason is that the original film was different from the book, so in some senses, the book itself never did reach the big screen. That being said, one can't help but compare the 1945 version with the 2011 version. There are problems doing this, since the 1945 version was done in the film noir style and the 2011 TV mini-series does not adopt those
conventions.

Acting (Mildred) - Even

The Mildred Pierce character won awards for both actresses - Kate Winslet won an Emmy and Joan Crawford won an Oscar. Both performances are exceptional, and both are true to their genre. The Kate Winslet of 2011 would have looked silly in the 1945 film, as would Joan Crawford in their 2011 series. But each one in their own setting does an exceptional job.

Acting (The Men) - Nod to 1945

Zach Scott was excellent as the homme fatale, and Guy Pearce does a good job too. Again, Peace in the film noir version would have looked silly and Scott in the 2011 version would be equally out of place, but each in his own setting did a good job. It's the same thing with Bruce Bennett (Mildred's first husband) and Brian O'Byrne, both of whom do good jobs.

The real difference in the men's category is Jack Carson (Mildred's husband's former partner). Carson was a scene stealer every time he appeared.

Acting (The Women) - Nod to 1945

Among the women in the 1945 version, what a cast! Ann Blyth as Veda (the daughter from hell) and Eve Arden as Ida (Mildred's restaurant friend) were both so good they earned Oscar nominations, the only one for both of them. This is not to disparage the performances of Mare Winningham (Ida) or Evan Rachel Wood (Veda), both of whom received Emmy nominations, but I think the women in the 1945 version were far better.

Then there's Butterfly McQueen who was a treat, and her character really doesn't appear in the 2011 version. Of course, Melissa Leo is an equal treat, and her character doesn't appear in the 1945 version.

So the acting credits are either even or favor the 1945 version. What about the technicals?

Director - Nod to 1945

* Michael Curtiz (1886-1962) is best known for his 7 films with Errol Flynn. He was nominated for an Oscar for their first collaboration ("Captain Blood", 1935), and received 2 more nominations for films with Jimmy Cagney - "Angels with Dirty Faces"(1938) and "Yankee Doddle Dandy" (1941) - and one win for a film with Bogart ("Casablanca", 1942).
* Todd Haynes was nominated for an Emmy for this TV series for directing and writing, and for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for "Far from Heaven" (2002)

Cinematography - Nod to 1945

* 1945 - Ernest Haller provided beautiful black and white photography and received an Oscar nomination. Haller filmed more than 100 movies and was nominated for an Oscar 7 times, and won once for "GWTW" (1939).
* 2011 - Ed Lachman was nominated for an Emmy for this series and for an Oscar for "Far from Heaven" (2002)

Music - Nod to 1945

* 1945 - Between 1935 and 1956 Max Steiner was nominated for an Oscar 19 times, and won for "Since You Went Away" (1944), "Now Voyager" (1942), and "The Informer" (1935). He was so well known that he appeared on a 33 cent stamp (1999) along with Dimitri Tiomkin and Alfred Newman.
* Carter Burwell was nominated for an Emmy for his work in the TV series. He was nominated for a Golden Glove for "Where the Wild things Are" (2009) and a BAFTA for "O Brother Where Art Thou" (2000)

Acknowledgement - Nod to 2011

The 1945 version had 6 Oscar nominations and 1 win (Crawford). The 2011 version had 20 Emmy nominations and 2 wins (Winslet and Pearce). Bear in mind that there are dozens and dozens of ways to get an Emmy nomination, and far fewer ways to get an Oscar nomination, so the bulk of the nominations received for a TV show really can't be compared to a 1945 film.

Comparison to Book - Nod to 2011

The 1945 version was altered considerably, so it's clear that the 2011 version is truer to the book.

Comparing the two versions, IMHO the nod goes to 1945. But the 2011 TV Mini Series can be appreciated as a very good piece of work in its own right, with a wonderful cast, good photography and music. Apart from the performances, I think the 2011 version does an excellent job in giving us the feel of the times. If there is one problem with the 2011 version it's that it is too long, and tries perhaps too much to capture the flavor of the book.

Bottom line - if you're looking for a great film noir from the classic period, try the 1945 version. If you want a great adaptation of the James Cain book, try the 2011 version. But don't look for film noir in the 2011 version, and lovers of the book may find the 1945 version quite a bit different.

I gave this film three stars. One star would not be enough as Kate Winslet gave a superb performance otherwise the story is long and sad and gropes to entertain you. I really would have had better things to do if it were a different time of the year but since I watched this film in the dead of winter I rather enjoyed the spatting and the arguing and getting caught up in the era of this show. Watch it for what it is worth and don't expect any thing dramatic.

The cast is excellent, the treatment is respectful, but not slavish. The young Veda is delightfully toxic! I really got a cheap thrill from seeing all the vintage cars as well. Reccomend this mini-series to anyone!

This is a wonderful dramatisation with a stunningly heartfelt performance from Kate Winslet in the title role. The story is well told and really takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions; and unbelievably sad in parts. It describes how a Californian woman makes it in business in the 1930's and the price she has to pay along the way to juggle her values of family, love, personal fulfillment and career.

I loved it and so did my daughter. The only disappointment was the quality of the disc which skipped the first time it was played, because it was scratched. Postage to and from Australia takes long enough at the best of times, so I've done my best to repair the damage, but will probably end up sacrificing one scene.

Mildred Pierce is another fine perormance by the fine Actress, Kate Winslet.
This would be fine in any one's Library...........Enjoy!

This moved way too slow.....the acting was okay, but the story line was so much better in the Joan CRawford version. You have to hand it to Kate Winslet though, for taking on this Oscar winning role...

Five parts which leaves information out between parts. First 5 minutes figuring out how we got here. If using Blu-ray UPDATE your firmware prior to viewing. Part three froze at same spot and the only thing that got it to play past the spot without skipping over was to remove and then update the firmware. Price not worth paying dvd/bluy-ray combo. Scenes not pretty enough to spend on Blu-ray.