Mildred Pierce

Starring the captivating Joan Crawford, who may not be the symbol of a Hollywood beauty like her enormous rival Bette Davis, but that doesn't change the fact that watching her as the main character is simply worth it. An unbelievable actress. Yes, the story has its weaknesses, but the way it is portrayed by the actors compensates for some moments on its own. (2014.09.23)

Mildred Pierce in this original version is absolutely crazy. The whole narrative is quite different from what Cain's book offers us. The crime framework shifts the whole anabasis around Mildred and her business into a different genre, it lacks the emphasis on the Great Depression, and the direction of the daughters is also different, and so is the finale. Joan Crawford is in her element, wearing outrageous costumes in that edgy 40s silhouette and sprinkling stardust around her even though she's only wearing a kitchen apron. I like all the changes, so typical of Hollywood at the time, and I'm equally glad that HBO mini brought an almost literal adaptation for a change years later. Here, no stone is left unturned and few aspire to win the audience's sympathy, while the novel offers characters of far greater color. However, one cannot be separated from the other; the novel, the film, and the series form a rare package of excellent experiences. (2019.11.18)