Review of Mildred Pierce (1945) by Marvene F — 12 May 2009

Michael Curtiz's 1945 classic starts as a nourish mystery as the Mildred Pierce's husband is murdered and she is questioned. It then proceeds to show how things fell into place during the previous four years, unfolding into a compelling domestic melodrama.

Joan Crawford gives a staggering performance as the title character, concealing years of heartache beneath a stoic face and sharp tongue. But it's the cast as a whole that really excels. Each character is defined, written, and acted to perfection.

The narrative aside, "Mildred Pierce" is also a movie about feminism and motherhood. Mildred is a self-made business woman to provide for her children, which makes her the target of resentment from both men and women alike.