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Amazon.co.uk Review
In Michael Curtiz's hands, James M. Cain's novel Mildred Pierce became a suburban noir, but Todd Haynes spins a more class-conscious tale in this HBO miniseries. The Depression is in effect when Mildred (Kate Winslet, ably filling Oscar-winner Joan Crawford's formidable shoes) breaks with her unfaithful husband, Bert (Brían F. O'Byrne), leaving the Glendale housewife to support her daughters as a waitress and part-time baker (cinematographer Ed Lachman brings her confections to delectable life). To keep up the middle-class façade, only neighbor Lucy (a fine Melissa Leo) knows about her blue-collar day job.
By protecting 11-year-old Veda (Morgan Turner) from the truth, however, Mildred encourages her snobbish tendencies, but then her pastry-making skills allow her to open a chain of restaurants with help from Lucy, feisty colleague Ida (Mare Winningham), and opportunistic realtor Wally (James LeGros, Safe), with whom she has a fling. That ends when she falls for playboy Monty (a dashing Guy Pearce), who takes a shine to Veda, at which point the girl becomes truly insufferable. The first time Mildred slaps her, it's hard not to suppress a cheer. The second time: Veda slaps her mother back. In 1937, when Mildred finally kicks her out (Evan Rachel Wood plays the teenaged Veda), you'll wonder why she didn't do it sooner.
Since 1941, audiences have debated Mildred's attempts to buy her daughter's love. Was Veda a bad seed or did slack parenting make her that way? In ditching the murder of the Curtiz film, Haynes and cowriter Jon Raymond (Meek's Cutoff) lend clarity to her motivations. Despite some awkward staging towards the end, Haynes directs with grace, and his cast rises to the occasion, particularly Winslet and O'Byrne. "Sometimes," Mildred tells Veda, "I wonder if you have good sense." The phrase applies equally well to her mother. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A suggestion for the Norwegian reviewer: read the novel by James M. Cain. It is ART, not REALITY. And the mini-series captures the art of the novel. I am sure there are many people who lived through the 1940s with plucky perservance. But the mini-series is not a documentary, it is an adaptation of a NOVEL about the soul-destroying attributes of class envy and social respectability. As such, the mini-series attempts (very well) to capture the essence of the novel.
36 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I must have watched a totally different series to the other reviewers. I thought it was totally wonderful and well acted, atmospheric. Kate Winslet portrayed Mildred very well and I didnt find her particularly miserable only as you would expect when your husband has left you and you have to provide for your children during difficult times. I havent seen original film or read the book but I will now. I wasnt expecting the end and found it very sad. I will miss this series on a Saturday evening and cant wait for the dvd to come out in November.
19 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is the sort of thing you know you OUGHT to like. It has incredibly good acting from Ms Winslet plus convincing period detail, yet somehow it misses.
As a narrative , it is strangely paced. For the first four episodes, it takes its time to tell the story, which should be a good thing but it drags its feet. However, in the final episode there is dizzying speed as event follows event.
The Winslet acting is brilliant; the 40's California background (interior and exterior) is fascinating, so I will (probably) order the DVD when it is available and give it another chance.
As a narrative , it is strangely paced. For the first four episodes, it takes its time to tell the story, which should be a good thing but it drags its feet. However, in the final episode there is dizzying speed as event follows event.
The Winslet acting is brilliant; the 40's California background (interior and exterior) is fascinating, so I will (probably) order the DVD when it is available and give it another chance.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Being a woman. Living the dream.
Impossible for me to watch this HBO series without considering how the original film was received in downtrodden working-class 1940s UK. Read more
Published 1 month ago by W. Rodick
Excellent re-Make of a Classic
I saw just one episode of Mildred Pierce on a transatlantic flight and ordered it from Amazon as soon as I got back home. I have not been disappointed. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. C. M. Greaves
Why listen to me
I have been invited by Amazon to 'review' Mildred Pierce as it may 'help' other purchasers. Look I will tell real friends whom I know and have some idea of their tastes that it is... Read more
Published 1 month ago by BILL
Laboured in both the acting and the plot
I can't really give this series a bad review as such, as it doesn't really generate that much feeling. It was OK, not bad, not that good though. Read more
Published 1 month ago by T. Houston
Watching paint dry
What is the point of this drab, slow moving mini series?
The plot is a washed out as the depressing 1940's interiors and it felt like a marathon getting to the end.
The plot is a washed out as the depressing 1940's interiors and it felt like a marathon getting to the end.
Published 2 months ago by Tim
save it for a rainy afternoon
bought this as a result of all the sky publicity (cheaper than paying a sky subscription) and really enjoyed it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by dawn
Where are the Special Features?
Returned the Blu Ray copy without watching as so annoyed that there are no special features. The Region 1 release, as well as containing a duplicate DVD copy of the series,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Adrian Ball
Mildred Pierce
I received this DVD in excellent time and condition but have not had the time to watch it yet. I had watched the story on a daily basis whilst on holiday in Barbados but missed... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sue Chapman
Mildred Pierce DVD
enjoyed this very much - a good way to watch at your own time and at leisure. Thought the acting performances were good.
Published 3 months ago by Ruthf
A good update of the original film
Five and a half hours of addictive viewing with excellent performances by all, but especially Kate Winslet. Read more
Published 3 months ago by DRep
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