Mildred Pierce

Among the classic James M. Cain adaptations that were especially popular in the 1940s, Mildred Pierce is exactly midway between Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice. In the new treatment of Mildred Pierce, we see Kate Winslet again, as we have so many times before when we watched a drama with a strong woman. Yet this time Kate's acting is overshadowed by an excellent script, a perfect set in which it is not difficult to distinguish the difference of several years based on a single detail, and a truly perfect drama. The story of the rise against the backdrop of the economic crisis is great. The intricate polygon in the middle of the family is spectacular. And each of the episodes works as a separate little film. So what else do you need? (16.11.2019)

The first episode gives the impression that this will be a five-hour, one-woman show by Kate Winslet in a series that would have been better as a regular feature-length movie. The second and the rest of the episodes cure you of this impression, but it doesn’t cure it of the overall coldness, that doesn’t happen until episode four. It’s not just about Winslet’s acting (e.g. Morgan Turner and her brat growing into elite bitch par excellence out-acts here in all scenes together), but luckily this isn’t so much about “founding KFC" either and, thanks to the narration that jumps about strangely, you get the impression that this miniseries could have been longer in places. I haven’t read the book, but Hayne’s style for me is like a monotonous good-night story. It’s clear that there is some powerful material here, but we don’t get to see it because of the depersonalized delivery... Basically it has the identical pluses and minuses as his Far From Heaven. In a five-hour package. (17.04.2011)