Review of Mildred Pierce (1945) by Leighton T — 22 Nov 2009

An exceptional piece of crime/noir melodrama is enlivened by a great cast and, most especially, a strong female lead in Joan Crawford. Anne Blyth and Eve Arden are terrific in supporting roles too, Blyth a spoiled brat of a character, and Arden cracking wise remarks that lighten the tone of the film nicely; Jack Carson, as well, is terrific, and quite funny.

Curtiz's hand behind the camera here proves that Casablanca should not be the one and only film he is remembered for. The brilliance of the script is that the whole time we think we have it figured out, the mystery of the film, and thus Pierce's recollection of the past will reveal this all, but the surprise reveal is great for there have been hints all around us and we have failed to see it.