After her unfaithful husband leaves her, Mildred Pierce proves she can become independent and successful. However winning the approval of her spoiled daughter proves a greater challenge.
The film is a chilling demonstration of the fact that, in a patriarchal society, when a woman steps outside the home the end result may be disastrous.
– ,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
All this is good melodrama and fair entertainment, but it is much closer to the waltz-time schmalz of Kathleen Norris than to the fox-trot brass of James M. Cain.
– ,
TIME Magazine,
25 Jul 2011
fresh:
A class feature, showmanly produced by Jerry Wald and tellingly directed by Michael Curtiz.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
17 Oct 2007
fresh:
The archetypal Joan Crawford movie.
– Don Druker,
Chicago Reader,
17 Oct 2007
rotten:
The production, mainly because of Michael Curtiz's direction, is unimaginative and badly hoked-up.