Joan Crawford won her only award for the title role here, but her performance wasn't anything outstanding in my view. Indeed, while I found MILDRED PIERCE to be well photographed and directed, it never appealed to me on a personal level. I have nothing against "chick flicks" as a general rule or anything, but this one was really more of a woman's film about how a strong-willed housewife can divorce her husband, regain her individuality in this dog-eat-dog world of ours, and then set out to be a successful businesswoman all on her own. That's great for Ms. Pierce, but it didn't make for very interesting viewing for me. I did enjoy the confrontation scene when Crawford matches wits with her spoiled rotten daughter, but that couldn't make up for the way Crawford allowed the kid to walk all over her during the course of the rest of the movie. ** out of ****
Review of Mildred Pierce
