Review of Mildred Pierce (1945) by Rodolfo R — 01 May 2005

I took last Friday off of work. Mostly because of the anxiety attacks I had on Tuesday and Wednesday. The fact that I took some time to myself has angried up a few people, which has naturally stirred up my Protestant guilt. [Sidebar: I really get sick of Catholics and Jews acting like they have rhe market corenered on guilt. All religions operate on the concept of guilt.].

First of all, Mummy was mad because I told her I couldn't take a day off of work to attend the Jackie Kennedy-Onassis exhibit at the Field with her. Which was true when I told her. I tried to explain to her that I needed a day to myself because of how stressed out I had been over the past two weeks. being Mummy, she didn't actually ask what was wrong, she just repeated "So you couldn't take a day off two weeks agao, but you can take a day off now." The only really irritating thing is that Big Brother told me that he gets along with Mummy because he just doesn't tell her anything and I didn't heed his advice. (Big Brother is the only member of my family who actually acts like a family member to me.).

The people at work are upset because, well, I didn't do something that I should have done. Since that's my fault, I'm just gonna skip the rest of the story.

On the other hand, I'm sure Paul was happy that I took off Friday, as I was able to get enough stuff to help him move yesterday. It was...fun?

So the movies...

[i]Dames[/i] was on Friday. Busby Berkeley. 1934. With Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell, my current imaginary boyfriend. Includes the utterly bizarre "Girl at the Ironing Board," in which Joan Blondell dances with union suits controlled by marionette strings. Three Divas: Joan, Ruby and Zasu Pitts, who is a Diva by virtue of being names Zasu Pitts.

[i]Mildred Pierce[/i], Saturday the the Music Box. That's right, kids. Joan Crawford on the big screen. That noise you just heard was hereinmyhead jealously cursing my name. Debatably Joan's finest performance. I don't need to tell you that I love this movie, as it's in my top ten. Four Divas: La Crawford, Ann Blyth, Eve Arden (all of who were nominated by the Acadmy with Joan winning her only Oscar) and Butterfly McQueen, who wasn't even billed, but achieved Diva status with the words, "I don't know nuthin' 'bout birthin' no babies!".

[i]Another Country[/i]. 1984. Twenty-four year old and totally hot Rupert Everett love with Cary Elwes and best friends with Colin Firth at an English public school, likely based on Eton. It's supposed to be a story of how a man becomes a spy, but it's better if you ignore the bookends (and Rupert's ghastly old man make-up) and focus on the story of boys discovering the men they'll become.

[i]Carrie[/i]. 2002 TV remake. Not bad. They included some moments from the book that I missed in De Palma's original, but then totally negated the entire film by fucking up the ending. Angela Bettis and Patricia Clarkson give very good performances and are probably more realistic than Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie. But the latter pair raised the story to levels of greek tragedy. Still, miles better than [i]The Rage[/i].