Mildred Pierce by James M. Cain

Mildred Pierce (Crime masterworks, #27) (Wisconsin/Warner Brothers Screenplays S.)

by James M. Cain

Joan Crawford forged a new and successful screen image in this powerful women's "noir" film; winning her an Academy Award for best actress.
Albert J. LaValley's through and insightful guide to "Mildred Pierce" at once tells us much about the making of this complex film, the problems and process of transferring the story to the screen, the specific and important roles of the producer, director, and set designer, and how the film relates to broad trends within the industry. It is without a doubt the most thorough treatment of this important American motion picture.

Reviewed by Michael @ Knowledge Lost on

4 of 5 stars

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With a HBO miniseries of Mildred Peirce (Staring Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce & Evan Rachel Wood) coming up soon; I thought I needed to read this James M. Cain classic. The story of Mildred Pierce follows the titular mother who, during the Great Depression finds herself separated from her husband, opening a restaurant of her own, and falling in love with a new man, all the while trying to earn her daughter's love and respect.

Sounds like a nice little story, right? Wrong; James M. Cain brings his famous noir style (found in his other books like The Postman Always Rings Twice & Double Indemnity) and adds this to what could be considered a standard ‘coming-of-age’ format. Trying to earn the respect of a daughter may be hard enough, but this teenage girl is the most stuck-up, pain-in-the-ass bitch I’ve even seen on paper. Veda almost reminds me of Mrs. Danvers from [b:Rebecca|12873|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298414903s/12873.jpg|46663] with her sinister actions. This is defiantly a unique story and the noir feel to it, makes it even more enjoyable.

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  • Started reading
  • 22 March, 2011: Finished reading
  • 22 March, 2011: Reviewed