Reviews

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.

But before I sign off making this film sound like a suffocating, stressful ordeal, I have to pay tribute to Eve Arden who plays Mildred's compatriot Ida - she's often ready with a quip and continues on always untouched by the madness and drama that surrounds Mildred Pierce.

Somehow, I kept reading the title of the movie as Mildred Piece, which in a way still makes sense, since Mildred is persistently giving Vida a piece of her heart only to have that very heart pierced by Vida with every attempt she makes.

Ann Blythe received a supporting nomination for her nasty Veda as did Eve Arden as Mildred's wisecracking BFF who had the film's best line: "Veda makes me think alligators have the right idea...they eat their young."

Joan Crawford made a huge comeback in 1945's Mildred Pierce.

Occupying a strange grey area between noir and melodrama, Mildred Pierce is nonetheless a good film.