265. Mildred Pierce; movie review

MILDRED PIERCE
Cert PG
111 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild violence and sex references

I have written before that I struggle with offering admiration to Joan Crawford because of the revelations by her children in the book Mommie Dearest.
This becomes doubly difficult during Mildred Pierce in which she stars as a mother whose trouble is caused by the spoiling of her arrogant, materialistic daughter (Ann Blyth).
Crawford won the best actress oscar for her role in this 1945 film but I am afraid its heavy melodrama  has not really passed the test of time.
Indeed, nor has its portrayal of women - even though Crawford's Pierce is attempting to break out of the metaphorical shackles.
Michael Curtiz's film begins with Pierce's second husband (Zachary Scott) being shot dead and the film then traces the lead-up to the murder.
Crawford's title character is seen initially as a mother who is tied to the kitchen by an unappreciative first husband (Bruce Bennett) and then as a businesswoman trying to bring in the money to pay for the whims of her extravagant and loveless daughter.
Meanwhile, she is romanced by a local businessman (Jack Carson) whom she tries to frame for the killing.
Crawford's character is meant to be naive and desperate but, possibly because of my preconceptions of her, she looks hard and wily to me.
Meanwhile, every man seems to be so beguiled by her that he feels compelled to chat her up with mixed results.
And the movie jumps surprisingly quickly from scene to scene meaning that some of its impact is lost.
On the plus side, it offers nostalgia from the old type of big studio movies, overflowing with fur coats, glistening jewellery and shiny sedans.
And, as a whodunnit, it works pretty well, keeping its audience guessing until its finale.
Its just so sad that I can't get on with Joan Crawford. Apparently, I am not the only one.

Reasons to watch: An Oscar-winning performance from Joan Crawford
Reasons to avoid: It doesn't pass the test of time

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6.5/10

The big question - How did Joan Crawford win an Oscar for this?

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