Mildred Pierce - Todd Haynes

Mildred Pierce - what a tangled story this is. Originally a book by James M. Cain, it was first made into a film in 1945. This film was black and white and had Joan Crawford as Mildred Pierce, along with Jack Carson as Wally, Eve Arden as Ida, and Ann Blyth as Veda. It was directed by Michael Curtiz (who also directed White Christmas), and has a script partially written by William Faulkner, and a score by Max Steiner. I had heard of this film for a while and finally checked it out. I thought it was good, and Joan Crawford was exactly what you want in one of her films. At the same time I wasn't crazy about the story. While it is based on a noir book, it wasn't the sort of noir that I was expecting in a film. I guess I think of noir and think of tawdry romance, spies, murder, etc.

The story is about a woman named Mildred Pierce who gets divorced and is trying to make it as a single mother of two. She eventually ends up opening up her own restaurant chain and makes a good life for herself. The problem is her oldest child Veda....and this was my biggest problem as well. Veda is a horrible child who grows up to be a horrible, mean, gold-digging person. And yet Mildred does everything she can to take care of Veda...even to the point of her own personal downfall. In 1956 this story was made into a 60 min "Lux Video Theatre" production on TV. I think the description for it is perfect - "After her cheating husband leaves her, Mildred Pierce proves she can become independent and successful, but cannot seem to win the approval of her spoiled daughter."  I guess I figure what does the approval of a child mean? Do we as people...are we always seeking the approval of our parents? I don't think so but maybe I am and just can't see it.

In 2011, this same story was turned into a gorgeous TV mini-series directed by Todd Haynes. It had an amazing cast! Kate Winslet as Mildred, Brían F. O'Byrne as Bert Pierce, James Le Gros as Wally, Hope Davis, Miriam Shor, Lena Dunham (in a bit part), the amazing Guy Pearce as Monty (including some nudity), and Evan Rachel Wood as Veda. Again, I had some serious problems with the story. I don't understand why Mildred would give up so much for such a horrible child. However the cast and the production were incredible and made it worth watching all five episodes (344 minutes). Todd Haynes knows so well how to get you involved in a character, and is such a great director visually. I am a Todd Haynes fan so it is part of my collection - though who knows when/if I'll watch it again. Still, if you haven't seen it - you should. Gorgeous... And check out the original Joan Crawford version as well.