901 Ratings

Mildred Pierce

United States, 1945

Drama, Film noir

Synopsis

After her cheating husband leaves her, Mildred Pierce proves she can become independent and successful, but can’t win the approval of her spoiled daughter.

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Mildred Pierce Directed by Michael Curtiz

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Awards & Festivals

Berlin International Film Festival

1990

Academy Awards

1946 | Winner: Best Actress in a Leading Role

1946 | 5 nominations including: Best Picture

BFI London Film Festival

2017

National Board of Review

1945 | Winner: Best Actress

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If Crawford is the glue in this picture—a mosaic of uneven elements, from the undue intensity of Blyth’s young villainess to the almost-too-brilliant comical asides from McQueen to the queer allure of Zachary Scott’s Monte—Curtiz would then be its assembler, the artiste taking pre-existing elements . . . and piecing them together into something that appears cohesive.

Dmitry Samarov

June 29, 2018

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An acute, unsparing study of relationships poisoned by class and money. The plot reveals a cruel sting in the tail of the most essential American promise—that hard work, sacrifice, and self-improvement will find their ultimate reward in the next generation’s success. But these caustic insights are embedded in a movie as satisfying as the comfort food Mildred serves in her neon-lit upscale diners: the dialogue salted with wit, the decadently rich emotion cut by just enough acerbic tartness.

Imogen Sara Smith

February 20, 2017

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The film revels in Crawford’s virtuosic escalation of emotion, in the force of will that she allows Mildred, who correspondingly transcends the masochistic constructs of a typical martyr of a “woman’s picture.” Mildred is a lusty, resilient, calculating, commanding woman—a protagonist of hungry agency who can’t be resolved to neatly serve a political talking point. Crawford’s brilliance is on particular display in the classic scene between Mildred and Veda on the staircase in Mildred’s home.

Chuck Bowen

February 20, 2017

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What are people saying?

El Biffo's rating of the film Mildred Pierce
El Biffo

"I want you to have nice things" / "The way you live isn't good enough for me" / "Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young." /// Mildred Pierce presents a persuasive argument for birth control. Also against marriage. Directed by Michael Curtiz (Casablanca). Cinematography by Ernest Haller (Rebel Without A Cause). 4+
February 11, 2019 21:37
- 5
- 0
Michael H. CLAES's rating of the film Mildred Pierce
Michael H. CLAES

The modern direction of CURTIZ is a ballet, juggling with virtuosity between the life episodes of magnificent CRAWFORD. Great photo & script by CAIN. The 3 men, as well as mother & daughter are perfect == La réalisation de CURTIZ sur 1 script de CAIN, très moderne, est un ballet jonglant avec virtuosité entre les épisodes de la vie de CRAWFORD, sublime. Cadrage superbe. Les 3 hommes, comme mère & fille, sont parfaits
February 11, 2019 02:32
- 2
- 0
Duncan Gray's rating of the film Mildred Pierce
Duncan Gray

Ace noir psychodrama, packing in an impressive amount of sly statements about class and gender without ever forgetting that it should be an entertaining mystery nightmare played to the hilt. The pacing zips along—especially if you made it through the 6 hour HBO version—and the visuals play wonderful games with shadows. What's this I hear about Curtiz not being considered an auteur?
February 11, 2019 04:28
- 6
- 0
Tigrão's rating of the film Mildred Pierce
Tigrão

A wonderful, beautiful Joan Crawford, struggles to provide for that ungrateful spoiled-rotten little bitch daughter, under Michael Curtiz's lavish production and James M. Cain's incendiary social study. You can't really go wrong with that.
February 11, 2019 02:33
- 4
- 0
ramosbarajas's rating of the film Mildred Pierce
ramosbarajas

The story is sometimes a bit weak, but everything else was superb. This is Crawford's show and we never forget it. She and everything that surrounds her is photographed beautifully. The lighting and the cinematography are incredible, an endless source of inspiration. I really love these old Hollywood classics. They capture mood like nothing else.
February 11, 2019 02:34
- 2
- 0
smndvdcl's rating of the film Mildred Pierce
smndvdcl

Peak Curtiz. Whilst 'Casablanca' is his most iconic, 'Mildred Pierce' is a study of gender and class ahead of its time. A fascinating noir indeed.
February 11, 2019 02:32
- 2
- 0
Alcock Hitchfred's rating of the film Mildred Pierce
Alcock Hitchfred

A proper melodrama, clearly influenced by Double Indemnity. Not really surprised, considering the time it was released. I liked it, but I wouldn't watch it again.
February 11, 2019 02:32
- 2
- 0
Sudipto Basu's rating of the film Mildred Pierce
Sudipto Basu

Ambivalent about this: part of it is strikingly modern and part of it is so uninspired. But I had a field day comparing it to Sirk's Imitation of Life.
February 11, 2019 02:33
- 1
- 0