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Parenthood is a challenging thing. We feel committed to the happiness and well-being of our children to the point that we want to provide them with everything. We don't want to see them lacking anything. But how much is enough? That seems to be a question that hangs above the titular character in this film that mixes drama and romance with film noir.
Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) is a hard-working woman that is torn between her desire to provide for her spoiled daughter, Veda (Ann Blyth), and her relationship with several men. There is Veda's father, Bert (Bruce Bennett), with whom she splits because of infidelities and economic issues. Then there is Monte (Zachary Scott), the young playboy she meets later that might be in it for her money, or maybe something else.
In typical film noir fashion, the film features a broken narrative. We start with Monte being shot by someone and then most of the film is told in flashback as we see what led to that. It is an effective choice that makes us think about the psyche of the different characters and their possible motivations; from Bert to Mildred herself, or maybe someone else.
But putting aside the mystery, what made the film tick for me were the interactions between Mildred and Veda. Crawford is her usual great self, but I was really surprise by how Blyth managed to hold her own against her. Her clashing personalities and attitudes are what make the film feel interesting, and perhaps separate this from other film noir that rely more on mood and atmosphere.
These exchanges and great performances are helped by a neat script and a pretty good direction from Curtiz. All to make a pretty nice package of a film that might keep you guessing until the end. So if you haven't seen Mildred Pierce, make sure you don't lose her.
Grade:
MILDRED PIERCE
(1945, Curtiz)
A film from Michael Curtiz
(1945, Curtiz)
A film from Michael Curtiz
"I've done without a lot of things, including happiness sometimes because I wanted her to have everything. Now I'm losing her."
Parenthood is a challenging thing. We feel committed to the happiness and well-being of our children to the point that we want to provide them with everything. We don't want to see them lacking anything. But how much is enough? That seems to be a question that hangs above the titular character in this film that mixes drama and romance with film noir.
Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) is a hard-working woman that is torn between her desire to provide for her spoiled daughter, Veda (Ann Blyth), and her relationship with several men. There is Veda's father, Bert (Bruce Bennett), with whom she splits because of infidelities and economic issues. Then there is Monte (Zachary Scott), the young playboy she meets later that might be in it for her money, or maybe something else.
In typical film noir fashion, the film features a broken narrative. We start with Monte being shot by someone and then most of the film is told in flashback as we see what led to that. It is an effective choice that makes us think about the psyche of the different characters and their possible motivations; from Bert to Mildred herself, or maybe someone else.
But putting aside the mystery, what made the film tick for me were the interactions between Mildred and Veda. Crawford is her usual great self, but I was really surprise by how Blyth managed to hold her own against her. Her clashing personalities and attitudes are what make the film feel interesting, and perhaps separate this from other film noir that rely more on mood and atmosphere.
These exchanges and great performances are helped by a neat script and a pretty good direction from Curtiz. All to make a pretty nice package of a film that might keep you guessing until the end. So if you haven't seen Mildred Pierce, make sure you don't lose her.
Grade: