Mildred Pierce

MILDRED PIERCE (12)

D: Michael Curtiz

Warner Bros (Jerry Wald)

US 🇺🇸 1945

111 mins

Drama/Mystery

W: Ranald MacDougall [based on the novel by Jerry M. Cain]

DP: Ernest Haller

Ed: David Weisbart

Mus: Max Steiner

PD: Anton Grot

Cos: Milo Anderson

Joan Crawford (Mildred Pierce Beragon), Jack Carson (Willy Fay), Zachary Scott (Monte Beragon), Eve Arden (Ida Corwin), Ann Blyth (Veda Pierce Forrester), Bruce Bennett (Bert Pierce)

Joan Crawford won the leading actress Oscar for her performance as the eponymous character in this melodramatic film noir, directed by Michael Curtiz.

The plot surrounds the murder of Mildred’s second husband, upon which she’s hinted to be the prime suspect, and the rest of the narrative is shown as a flashback leading up to the events.

When her first husband leaves her for another woman, it affects both her wealth and social status as she looks after their two daughters, the eldest of which, Veda, is spoiled and resentful when Mildred takes a job as a waitress.

Mildred meets Monte, who would become her second husband, who finances her restaurant business opportunity, but when it becomes successful, his own wealth fades.

The main drama comes from the relationship between Mildred and Veda, the latter of whom is particularly manipulative in her greedy quest for a better life.

Whilst it was Joan Crawford who won Oscar gold, Ann Blyth really should have been named as Best Supporting Actress of the year, and it was rightfully named upon the five Best Motion Pictures of 1945 (losing to The Lost Weekend).

8/10