Customer Reviews

Mildred Pierce

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Here is the story of your average post-World War II housewife who believes that nothing is too good--or too much--for her two precious daughters. By the time this great soap opera is over, she has buried one child, experienced the murder of a cheating, mooching sleazeball of a husband, sent the other daughter off to prison, and gone into bankruptcy. But at least Eve Arden's character is good for a few laughs. At the end, though, she seems to reconcile with her first husband, whom she kicked out of the house in the first reel for losing his job. It's nice to know one can sometimes start out all over again.

Everyone who has a weakness for old movies should have this one in his/her collection.
Steely Joan Crawford evokes sympathy as an abandoned, financially-strapped wife and mother, though you know all along that Mildred will make it somehow.
Make it she does, stumbling into the restaurant business and making a success of it in spite of the fact that men find her so darned irresistible that she has to stop and peel one off every few steps.
Adding to Mildred's troubles is the fact that oldest daughter Vida(played by dewy-eyed young beauty Ann Blyth) has become an insufferable snob somewhere along the line, in spite of her middle-class upbringing. Mildred worships Vida, in spie of the fact that Vida is moody, verbally abusive, and impossible to please.Vida wants to be "rich", but when Mildred makes lots of money, it still doesn't suit Vida because her mother worked (ew, yuck) for it. You wish that Mildred would shake her, or at least ground her.
Eve Arden, one of my all-time favorites, is her usual wonderful self as Mildred's shrewd secretary and loyal friend.
Butterfly McQueen gets wasted once again in the role of the family's maid.
Even if you're not a Joan Crawford fan, buy this one; it makes terrific rainy-night viewing.

I've seen many movies of Joan Crawford, but I think that this movie gives a true glimpse of her character (not at all portrayed in "Mommie Dearest"). This movie shows Joan as a caring loving woman to her husband and children, a mother who will go to any length to have a better life for her and her family, who seems to show true emotion and tears when her little daughter dies, to win her daughter Veda's love -- even to go as far enough to protect her when Veda does murder! Realistically, if I acted that way, my mother would have made true those words, "Get out before I kill you." LOL It's a classic that's not to be missed. Strike up the fireplace, put your feet up on the couch, get your hanky ready and enjoy this classic.

Watching Mildred Pierce became (somehow) a Christmas Eve tradition for me a few years ago. A classic battle-of-wills story, you can't help cheering for Mildred when she tells her scheming, selfish daughter "Get out before I kill you!" (the little tramp comes back though). Great fun and melodrama.

The movie was good from start to finish. I can see why Joan Crawford won, an Oscar, for best actress on this one. She carried the movie. The young lady who played her daughter was quite good as well. Next up...the re-make.

I am not a Joan Crawford fan -- having said that, she is superb in "Mildred Pierce". As are Ann Blythe as "Veda" and Bruce Bennett, as "Bert". And we mustn't forget the incomparable Jack Carson as "Wally" or Eve Arden's portrayal of "Ida" -- wonderful!!!!!

I purchased this movie because I had seen it several times recently on television and decided I wanted it in my collection. I also bought James M. Cain's novel. Read the book, watch the movie. The movie IS different, because Hollywood would never have allowed the exact transfer to occur. Be prepared for surprises if you read the book.

Both are musts in any collection!!!! Enjoy

A fantastic movie! Beautifully directed, wonderfully acted, and a great story!

If you enjoyed the movie, read the original by James Cain. There are a few things about Mildred that the movie didn't tell - it may surprise you!

Mildred pierce in his spirit the film together with The Pastoral Symphony of Jean Delanoy who better explores the female world in this decade so filled with trouble and fear.
The close experience of the Second World war in a certain way was a crossroad for a huge crowd of directors. 1945 is the birth of the italian neorealism, the full comittment of the film noir, the first aproximations of the social film (Remember Kazan , Wilder , Dmytrik , Losey, Wyler,) and I think it was the starting point of the sparkle for the new wave cinema ten years after.
If you watch this movie, you`ll forget you`re in the a a film from the forties. Because the story is told so perfectly and the matter in question is so related with everyone of us that all the explored universe of feelings , the proud, the anger and the constance of the main character in a ravishing performance of Mrs. Crawford and the astonishing Anne Blyth, makes that film not only a cult movie but a obligated reference for those who love the art of cinema.
If I coukd, I`d give it ten stars instaed of just five.

Wonderful DVD of Crawford's still-wonderful portrayal of "MILDRED PIERCE." She acts all over the place, earning that Oscar, scene by sumptuous scene! And this is what DVDs are all about...you will enjoy not only assorted Crawford trailers from her years at the Warner Brothers studio, but the excellent documentary on "Crawford: The Ultimate Star." A real bargain! The only thing that is missing would be a commentary track by someone in-the-know about the making of this great picture.

Ann Blyth who plays Veda, in this movie based losely on the novel, steals the show with an outstanding performance and makes the movie work. I don't think the dynamics between her character and Joan Crawford (who plays her mother Mildred Pierce) would have worked as well with a different actress!

The sparks and tension portrayed in such a sublime fashion are what made this a great movie!