Review of Mildred Pierce (1945) by Ben L — 15 Oct 2017

I?m not sure if Mildred Pierce is intended to feel like a traditional murder mystery, but it definitely does not. Despite the fact that it opens on a man being shot, through most of the film it doesn?t come across like a crime story at all.

More than anything this is the tragic tale of a woman?s struggle to do what she thinks is right, and being met by endless frustrations along the way. I felt for Joan Crawford throughout the film, because she makes Mildred a character you want to see succeed.

However, I was constantly annoyed by the way people around her would treat her and take advantage. It made my skin crawl when every male would come on to her, and let?s not even get started on how her daughter acts.

It was the kind of movie that makes me uncomfortable because I want to intervene, and stop the madness. It doesn?t help that Mildred herself seems to be condoning and rewarding some of the behavior, which just makes it that much more infuriating.

The way the story is told in the framework of the police performing a murder investigation is probably the most intriguing part of the film, and it leads to a powerful climax. I wish more of the story was about the investigation.

I see the quality in the film, particularly in the acting performances, but the experience of watching Mildred Pierce was largely unpleasant. I might still recommend it to some people, it just wasn?t ideal for me.