Saturday, June 04, 2022
Mildred Pierce 2011 TV Miniseries
- Commentary: I've been a fan of the original Mildred Pierce movie with Joan Crawford for a long time. The story so intrigued me that I borrowed a copy of the James Cain novel upon which it was based. In fact, I did this while Mom was alive and we read it, together, out loud. Were we surprised! The novel and the movie are much different. This did not dampen my love for the movie. We decided, though, after the introduction to Mildred's plight at the beginning, the movie and the novel had to be considered different stories, not just different takes on the same story. Then, this miniseries arrived. I was intrigued by the publicity and was able to check it out of the library when it was released on DVD. I was not disappointed. So, which do I prefer, the miniseries or the movie? I love that the miniseries adheres so closely to the novel. It's so well produced and acted. It's one of my favorite series. I have to say, though, I have no preference between it and the movie. I love both equally well. I notice that the Wikipedia article, to which I've linked in the title, above, recorded some significant criticism of the miniseries, but I have none. Each rendering is different. Both are equally satisfying for me. I like, in fact, to watch them back-to-back, the movie first, always. Joan Crawford sets the tone. Kate Winslet embellishes it. Funny, isn't it, that the movie could not be considered a period piece since it is true to the time it was filmed, but the miniseries definitely is.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 2/5/2018 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kate Winslet Mildred Pierce Guy Pearce Monty Beragon Evan Rachel Wood Veda Pierce Miriam Shor Anna Melissa Leo Lucy Gessler Morgan Turner Young Veda Pierce James LeGros Wally Burgan Brían F. O'Byrne Bert Pierce Mare Winningham Ida Corwin Hope Davis Mrs. Forrester Quinn McColgan Ray Pierce Waltrudis Buck Mrs. Temple
Just in case, here's the Wikipedia write-up.
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Todd Haynes.
Labels: drama5, guy-pearce, hope-davis, me-favorite1, melissa-leo, neo-noirC, period2, TV1
