Mildred Pierce (Keepcase)
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Movie Reviews of Mildred Pierce (Keepcase)
Movie Review: Good movie, great book
Summary: 4 Stars
I liked this film a lot more before I read Cain's book, which is subtle and ironic in ways this movie can't match. In fact, having just read the book and just seen the movie, I'd have to say that this is a rather corny flick in a number of ways, and nowhere near as fine as Cain's superlative novel.
There are indeed a number of fine performances here---Blyth, Arden, and Carson all deliver the goods---but even then only Carson comes close to drawing his character as finely as Cain does. Blyth is suitably painful but not as sharp as the truly hateful Veda in the book, and Arden's perfect foil to Crawford gets a mere few minutes here instead of the major part the novel gives to Ida. Sure, the book isn't hampered by a two-hour limit, but there are some choices made by the three screenwriters (including William Faulkner, a long way from Yoknapatawpha here) that just don't make much sense compared to Cain's original and much less Hollywood plot.
{Spoilers aplenty on the way:} For instance, the ending is laughable next to the book's. Here of course we must have some sort of "justice", contrived though it may be, whereas Cain made the completely realistic yet ugly choice of Veda getting away with it all. And of course the murder is the central plot device of the film, yet nobody is killed in the book, much to the benefit of both plot and characters. The murder here takes away from much of the power of the original plot, and as far as film noir murders go, it's weak. And calling this one of the great film noirs is way off the mark: The Falcon, Double Indemnity, The Big Sleep, DOA and so many others are real noir with real grit; this is all too Hollywood and really not very noir at all, with its slick ending and refusal to confront most of the moral questions raised by Cain. It may be shot with noirish angles and lighting, but that doesn't make it hardboiled. In fact, of the three Cain novels put to film in the '40s, this is the least successful to my eyes and ears; Indemnity and Postman both feature sharper dialogue and better lead performances than Pierce.
Uh oh, now I'm getting close to saying what seems to be anathema to the many worshippers of this film, which I tried to deny to myself for a while while rewatching it tonight for the first time in over a decade: Joan Crawford is a mediocre actress. There, I said it. Sorry, but she's wearing almost the same expression in every scene here: eyes wide open in shock/dismay/anger/joy/insert emotion here. Watch Arden and Crawford at work and then watch Joan: they bring subtlety and nuance to their portrayals, where Joan brings only an almost robotic feel to bear on myriad emotions. But then it seemed like she was more concerned with which hat to wear than how to honor Cain's incredibly complex Mildred with a similarly considered performance.
She just hams it up over and over, or does the opposite, standing in blank dismay and letting her wardrobe do the acting. Curtiz' fine direction and Steiner's typically solid score lift the film onto a refined plane, and Crawford is in her way perfect here in her many imperfections; she has presence, to be sure, but she's just not a very convincing actress. Cain's Mildred has so much more intelligence and drive and verve and grace and wit than Crawford can begin to bring to this role, and that made it all feel rather empty for me.
But I know that leaves me in the vast minority, so maybe I'm just missing her genius. Still, I'd recommend reading the book and then seeing this again to all who find Joan the perfect Mildred Pierce. I think in fact that Arden could have done a vastly superior job as Mildred; she can really act, while Joan can really only be Joan. And while that's a spectacle worth watching, it comes nowhere near the quality of Cain's heroine.
The dvd does feature an excellent transfer, plus a decent doc on Crawford's life, and is wisely two-sided, which was common a few years ago until studios realized they could use two discs instead and milk the consumer for more cash. It's a nice little package and must be a delight for huge fans of this film; I too would have called myself one until reading the book. I still like the movie for its various qualities, but can't ignore its many flaws when held up to Cain's masterpiece.
Movie Review: A scorching soap of a film noir...
Summary: 4 Stars
Best known for bringing Joan Crawford to an Oscar win, `Mildred Pierce' is a nice slice of contemporary crime noir heaven complete with slick performances, witty dialog and subtle yet engaging direction. It pretty much has everything that one could ask for from a film of this genre, despite the fact that it pretty short of believable. It's beyond entertaining and certainly one of the more satisfying films of the 40's.
The film opens with a gunshot and a dead body and a murder investigation that leads to quite a discovery.
Crawford plays Mildred, a devoted mother of two who throws out her prideful husband Bert and slums it as a waitress in order to provide for her doting daughter Kay and her spoiled brat of a daughter Veda. She eventually makes good on her savvy business sense and unwavering determination and opens a chain of successful restaurants that launch her into wealth; wealth that her daughter and new husband Monte are all to eager to squander.
Crawford is serviceable as Mildred, although I must say that I found her to be the films weakest link, performance wise. She doesn't do anything wrong, but she also doesn't do anything remarkable here either. I have yet to find Crawford stunning, but supposedly she was so I guess I have more to watch from her. I don't understand the Oscar win, but I'm not mad at it. Jack Carson was perhaps my favorite performance here. He really understood the style of the 40's film noir, and his enthusiastic and often suggestive delivery really complimented the direction of the film. He just captured my attention from beginning to end. Eve Arden has a few scenes, but she uses them to the full; chewing scenery left and right with a solid mix of wit and charm. Zachary Scott is full of seductive charms, but he also brushes each frame with that snooty presence that screams "SCOUNDREL".
Ann Blyth is a revelation as Veda. She completely makes a character that I absolutely loathe someone I desired to see in every scene. Veda will probably go down for me as one of the most unlikable and despise-worthy characters in the history of cinema and yet she was utterly delicious thanks to Blyth.
Despite the fact that I wanted to ring her neck, I couldn't help but smile every time she walked into view.
I wished that the script had been fleshed out a little more, for there is a very large story to tell here and it isn't told (at times) in the best way. It can feel rather rushed in areas as we jet across Mildred's life in large chunks. I am intrigued that they are turning this into a television mini-series (with the beloved Kate Winslet no less) and really feel that taking their time and expanding on this film will really create something wonderful, for there is so much here that is merely touched upon that will make for scrumptious viewing.
With style, grace and edge, `Mildred Pierce' is most definitely a film I'd recommend to anyone wanting a nice taste of the 40's.
Movie Review: Interesting Characters
Summary: 4 Stars
This gets high points for the fine acting, memorable characters and successful melding pf a film noir with a soap opera. The movie is very interesting all the way through but if stupid and/or annoying characters get to you, then don't bother with this because there are some big-time fools in this film who are guaranteed to raise your blood pressure!
There are six major characters in this film. Three people are totally despicable, one is nice and sensible, and two are somewhere in the middle.
Eve Arden, who provides the humor and common sense consistently. For those Baby Boomers who remember her as TV''s "Our Miss Brooks," that's what she is here: same voice, same wise cracks.
Ann Blyth, the "Daughter from Hell," plays one of the worst spoiled kids in the history of film. Zachary Scott, ,as Mildred's second husband, a slimy, gold-bricking bum who has absolutely no morals. Jack Carson is the way-too-horny slob and ruthless businessman/lawyer .
The lead character, Mildred Pierce, played by Joan Crawford, is a hard-working, good businesswomen and very devoted mother. Her bad characteristics include having absolutely no sense of judgment on how to raise kids or what a marriage is all about. Finally, Bruce Bennett, as Mildred's first husband, has common sense regarding the kids, shows forgiveness and loyalty at the end, but cheats on his wife to begin with and walks out.
Yeah, as you can see above, it's soapy for a film noir......but it features interesting characters. It's nice to see that the DVD sports s a beautiful transfer: a sharp picture with good contrasts.
Movie Review: Outstanding Performances
Summary: 4 Stars
"Mildred Pierce" is a bit strange in all its twists and turns but it gives Joan Crawford a great platform for her acting talents. She plays several types in this film and it works. Starting out as a poor beleaguered housewife, earning a few dimes selling baked goods, her first husband dallies with a fem fatale neighbor lady. Though hurt and playing a victim she moves on to be a successful restaurant owner. She is strong and authoritative as the manager of several restaurants. As Mildred, Joan also plays a grieving mother as her youngest child dies of pneumonia and her selfish oldest daughter Veda Pierce (Ann Blyth) uses her mother to get monetary gains.
Mildred is motivated by her spoiled and only daughter's self-centered wants, but it drives her to become independent and wealthy. All the men she has relationships with have issues that cause her grief. Her first husband, Albert Pierce (Bruce Bennett) is a failure at work and cheats on her with the blond neighbor lady; her best friend Wally Fay (Jack Carson) is always trying to get her in bed though he helps her in business matters; and her second husband Monty Beragon (Zachary Scott) is another playboy and a gold digger. He takes her money and part of her business as well as an affair with Mildred's daughter.
Mildred is obsessed and dependent on the approval of Veda to the point of highest sacrifice.
Overall the movie reveals a weakness many parents have and may teach a lesson on spoiled children. Joan Crawford carries the movie with a standout performance, and the cast as well.
Movie Review: Great movie great DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
I just want add before you read the rest of my review that I did not buy it on Amazon but I wish I had because the other online store charged me way too much.
Now lets get to the point Mildred Pierce the original version starring Jone Crawford is a great film there's just something about classics like these that's timeless and just plane fun to watch. the DVD is great because it contains a 60 minute autobiography about the film star whitch includ interviews with her adopted daughter and others that knew her, and of course the film is wounderful, so if you love old classics get this one I'm happy I now have it in my collection its a keeper.