This Michael Curtiz's Drama Deserves No Less Attention Than His Main Hit 'Casablanca'
It's a story of sacrifice that goes unnoticed and the blindness with which we love those who are unworthy of us.
Director Michael Curtiz's name will forever be linked to Casablanca, probably the most famous film in Hollywood history. However, another movie in his filmography remains unfairly overshadowed by his greatest hit.
Mildred Pierce is a 1945 film noir melodrama directed by Curtiz and starring Joan Crawford. It's a rare case where the technical audacity of the genre converges with the tender lyricism of a psychological drama.
What Is 'Mildred Pierce' About?
Mildred Pierce is an unhappy widow who has suffered the tragic deaths of two husbands. The movie opens with the murder of her second husband, Monte Beragon, an aristocrat and playboy.
During her interrogation at the police station, Mildred reveals the secrets and extraordinary passions that led to the murder.
Initially married to Bert, Mildred devoted herself to her daughters, especially her eldest, Veda, while Bert enjoyed pleasant company. However, men weren't the main tragedy of her life.
'Mildred Pierce' Is a Film Noir With a Family Drama Twist
Mildred Pierce is hardly a typical film noir. Rather than featuring femme fatales and sweeping plot twists, it's a deeply psychological family drama. However, a noir atmosphere is skillfully created through the use of light and shadow, as well as sharp and deliberately awkward camera angles.
Curtiz portrays Mildred's home as a prison and her success in the restaurant business as an attempt to fill an inner void.
In fact, Mildred Pierce is a tragic love story, just not a romantic one. Mildred's mother's unbridled love prevented her from seeing her daughter Veda's true face: a manipulative woman greedy for money and high social status.
While Mildred builds her career and tries to provide the best for her daughters, Veda weaves intrigue, manipulates her mother and stepfathers, and ultimately causes disaster.
'Mildred Pierce' Is Worth Watching if Only for Joan Crawford's Brilliant Performance
Joan Crawford won an Oscar for her role in this movie, one of the most well-deserved awards in Academy history. Crawford plays Mildred, a woman who strives to be strong in a world ruled by men, however, her love for her ungrateful daughter is her greatest weakness.
Crawford plays the role with incredible subtlety: in one scene, she's a successful businesswoman, in the next, she's a broken mother willing to do anything for her ungrateful child.
Mildred Pierce is a movie about how family can be more terrifying than any crime in a film noir and how a mother's love for her child can be more destructive than any fatal passion.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Mildred Pierce'?
-
Mildred Pierce has 88% from critics and 90% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
-
On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.9/10.
-
On Letterboxd, Mildred Pierce scored 4.1/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Mildred Pierce'?
Mildred Pierce is available to stream on HBO Max.
