A scorching soap of a film noir...
Added 11/3/2009
Best known for bringing Joan Crawford to an Oscar win, `Mildred Pierce' is a nice slice of contemporary crime noir heaven complete with slick performances, witty dialog and subtle yet engaging direction. It pretty much has everything that one could ask for from a film of this genre, despite the fact that it pretty short of believable. It's beyond entertaining and certainly one of the more satisfying films of the 40's.
The film opens with a gunshot and a dead body and a murder investigation that leads to quite a discovery.
Crawford plays Mildred, a devoted mother of two who throws out her prideful husband Bert and slums it as a waitress in order to provide for her doting daughter Kay and her spoiled brat of a daughter Veda. She eventually makes good on her savvy business sense and unwavering determination and opens a chain of successful restaurants that launch her into wealth; wealth that her daughter and new husband Monte are all to eager to squander.
Crawford is serviceable as Mildred, although I must say that I found her to be the films weakest link, performance wise. She doesn't do anything wrong, but she also doesn't do anything remarkable here either. I have yet to find Crawford stunning, but supposedly she was so I guess I have more to watch from her. I don't understand the Oscar win, but I'm not mad at it. Jack Carson was perhaps my favorite performance here. He really understood the style of the 40's film noir, and his enthusiastic and often suggestive delivery really complimented the direction of the film. He just captured my attention from beginning to end. Eve Arden has a few scenes, but she uses them to the full; chewing scenery left and right with a solid mix of wit and charm. Zachary Scott is full of seductive charms, but he also brushes each frame with that snooty presence that screams "SCOUNDREL".
Ann Blyth is a revelation as Veda. She completely makes a character that I absolutely loathe someone I desired to see in every scene. Veda will probably go down for me as one of the most unlikable and despise-worthy characters in the history of cinema and yet she was utterly delicious thanks to Blyth.
Despite the fact that I wanted to ring her neck, I couldn't help but smile every time she walked into view.
I wished that the script had been fleshed out a little more, for there is a very large story to tell here and it isn't told (at times) in the best way. It can feel rather rushed in areas as we jet across Mildred's life in large chunks. I am intrigued that they are turning this into a television mini-series (with the beloved Kate Winslet no less) and really feel that taking their time and expanding on this film will really create something wonderful, for there is so much here that is merely touched upon that will make for scrumptious viewing.
With style, grace and edge, `Mildred Pierce' is most definitely a film I'd recommend to anyone wanting a nice taste of the 40's.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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book is better
Added 6/28/2009
I was disappointed that the movie was so different from the book, but the people who watched it with me liked the outcome of the movie better than the book.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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I BOUGHT THIS DVD AND IT SOMEHOW GOT LOST IN THE MAIL, A REPLACEMENT DVD WAS SENT OUT AND I GOT THAT BUT THE DVD WAS SCRATCHED, I CAN'T WATCH THE ENDING OF THIS MOVIE.
I HAD TRIED TO SEND IT BACK, BUT THE WEB SITE JUST KEEPS SENDING ME BACK TO THE BEGINNING, SO I SPENT ABOUT $14 FOR NOTHING.
I WILL NEVER BUY USED AGAIN.
0 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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great find!
Added 5/11/2009
i ordered this great movie and it came quickly. it was just as described and i would recommend this seller to anyone.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Interesting Characters
Added 3/23/2009
This gets high points for the fine acting, memorable characters and successful melding pf a film noir with a soap opera. The movie is very interesting all the way through but if stupid and/or annoying characters get to you, then don't bother with this because there are some big-time fools in this film who are guaranteed to raise your blood pressure!
There are six major characters in this film. Three people are totally despicable, one is nice and sensible, and two are somewhere in the middle.
Eve Arden, who provides the humor and common sense consistently. For those Baby Boomers who remember her as TV''s "Our Miss Brooks," that's what she is here: same voice, same wise cracks.
Ann Blyth, the "Daughter from Hell," plays one of the worst spoiled kids in the history of film. Zachary Scott, ,as Mildred's second husband, a slimy, gold-bricking bum who has absolutely no morals. Jack Carson is the way-too-horny slob and ruthless businessman/lawyer .
The lead character, Mildred Pierce, played by Joan Crawford, is a hard-working, good businesswomen and very devoted mother. Her bad characteristics include having absolutely no sense of judgment on how to raise kids or what a marriage is all about. Finally, Bruce Bennett, as Mildred's first husband, has common sense regarding the kids, shows forgiveness and loyalty at the end, but cheats on his wife to begin with and walks out.
Yeah, as you can see above, it's soapy for a film noir......but it features interesting characters. It's nice to see that the DVD sports s a beautiful transfer: a sharp picture with good contrasts.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A scorching soap of a film noir...
Added 11/3/2009
Best known for bringing Joan Crawford to an Oscar win, `Mildred Pierce' is a nice slice of contemporary crime noir heaven complete with slick performances, witty dialog and subtle yet engaging direction. It pretty much has everything that one could ask for from a film of this genre, despite the fact that it pretty short of believable. It's beyond entertaining and certainly one of the more satisfying films of the 40's.
The film opens with a gunshot and a dead body and a murder investigation that leads to quite a discovery.
Crawford plays Mildred, a devoted mother of two who throws out her prideful husband Bert and slums it as a waitress in order to provide for her doting daughter Kay and her spoiled brat of a daughter Veda. She eventually makes good on her savvy business sense and unwavering determination and opens a chain of successful restaurants that launch her into wealth; wealth that her daughter and new husband Monte are all to eager to squander.
Crawford is serviceable as Mildred, although I must say that I found her to be the films weakest link, performance wise. She doesn't do anything wrong, but she also doesn't do anything remarkable here either. I have yet to find Crawford stunning, but supposedly she was so I guess I have more to watch from her. I don't understand the Oscar win, but I'm not mad at it. Jack Carson was perhaps my favorite performance here. He really understood the style of the 40's film noir, and his enthusiastic and often suggestive delivery really complimented the direction of the film. He just captured my attention from beginning to end. Eve Arden has a few scenes, but she uses them to the full; chewing scenery left and right with a solid mix of wit and charm. Zachary Scott is full of seductive charms, but he also brushes each frame with that snooty presence that screams "SCOUNDREL".
Ann Blyth is a revelation as Veda. She completely makes a character that I absolutely loathe someone I desired to see in every scene. Veda will probably go down for me as one of the most unlikable and despise-worthy characters in the history of cinema and yet she was utterly delicious thanks to Blyth.
Despite the fact that I wanted to ring her neck, I couldn't help but smile every time she walked into view.
I wished that the script had been fleshed out a little more, for there is a very large story to tell here and it isn't told (at times) in the best way. It can feel rather rushed in areas as we jet across Mildred's life in large chunks. I am intrigued that they are turning this into a television mini-series (with the beloved Kate Winslet no less) and really feel that taking their time and expanding on this film will really create something wonderful, for there is so much here that is merely touched upon that will make for scrumptious viewing.
With style, grace and edge, `Mildred Pierce' is most definitely a film I'd recommend to anyone wanting a nice taste of the 40's.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
book is better
Added 6/28/2009
I was disappointed that the movie was so different from the book, but the people who watched it with me liked the outcome of the movie better than the book.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
I BOUGHT THIS DVD AND IT SOMEHOW GOT LOST IN THE MAIL, A REPLACEMENT DVD WAS SENT OUT AND I GOT THAT BUT THE DVD WAS SCRATCHED, I CAN'T WATCH THE ENDING OF THIS MOVIE.
I HAD TRIED TO SEND IT BACK, BUT THE WEB SITE JUST KEEPS SENDING ME BACK TO THE BEGINNING, SO I SPENT ABOUT $14 FOR NOTHING.
I WILL NEVER BUY USED AGAIN.
0 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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