Mildred Pierce

1. General discussion of
Mildred Pierce
2. Analysis of opening
sequence
3. Analysis of the film’s
ending: the big reveal
4. My defense of Veda
Keeping track of the various characters
 ________ Says “My mother, a waitress!”
 _________ Mildred’s doting business partner
 _________ Mildred’s 1st husband
 _________ Mildred’s tomboy daughter
 _________ Mildred’s friend who works the cash
register at the restaurant, says “Don’t look now
junior, but you’re standing under a brick wall”
 _______ Says, “Oh, I wish I could get that
interested in work.”
Initial reactions?
 Discussion: who killed Monte?
 Mildred Pierce is a classic 1940s crime
melodrama. The crime narrative is usually
rather complex, featuring non-linear plot
development, sometimes convoluted plot turns
and surprises, with frequent voice-over
flashback sequences.
 As you watched the film and each flashback
revealed more information about who murdered
Monte, who did you suspect as the narrative
unfolded?
 Veda Pierce could arguably labeled the film’s femme
fatale, the alluring and deceptive woman who is using
her feminine charms to get her way with people, men
especially, for her own greedy gains.
 What are some of Veda’s most despicable actions in the
film? How does she manipulate her mother?
 What character traits does Ann Blyth emphasize in her
performance to make Veda so effective?
 Mildred Pierce is one of the more stylishly shot classic
crime films that contain a distinctly famous film noir
visual style. Note the noir visual style in the opening
scene depicting the murder of Monte and Mildred’s
walk along the pier; Mildred’s return to Monty’s beach
house with Wally as she appears to frame him for
Monte’s murder and a scene in Wally’s nightclub.
 Test the noir morality/luminosity quotient for Veda,
Wally, Monte or Mildred.
Night-for-night shooting: notice the black sky
Lighting in the big reveal
“Entrapment”: vertical & horizontal “bars” motif
What do you notice about lighting?
Two-shots: mother & daughter
Reversal of power
 My defense of Veda
 Before the film, we can infer that she has been spoiled by her parents.
 When Kay dies, Mildred becomes overly protective, which seems to feed Veda’s
rebellion. By making her world revolve around Veda, Mildred feeds Veda’s narcissism
 Also, it’s not clear what kind of effect the divorce and Kay’s death has on Veda, but she
does seem to genuinely mourn her little sister’s death.
 Veda says a lot of nasty things to Mildred, but she never says “I’ll kill you” – that’s on
Mildred. Mildred is also the first to slap Veda when Veda mocks her for being a waitress.
 She is surrounded by predatory men like Wally and Monte (she gets the car on her 17th
b-day)
 Mildred’s reaction to Veda’s performance at the nightclub is prudish and controlling.
Veda is an adult now and Mildred kicked her out of the house, and in 1945, there are
not many career options for women. So Veda is doing what her mother did when she
took the waitressing job.
 Veda is emotionally underdeveloped, so Monte invited his own death. Also, Mildred
drops the gun, almost as though she is unconsciously “planting” it there for someone to
use.
 In the end, Veda faces her fate with stoic resignation, as though she has matured.
 Mildred Pierce is also one of Hollywood’s most emotionally packed
maternal melodramas. In The Rough Guide to Cult Movies the
authors list it as a classic “weepie”. Released at the end of World War II
with its independent, strong willed protagonist and single mom, Mildred
Pierce seems tailored for the mostly female home front moviegoer. Note
several of the many self-sacrificing acts Mildred makes during the course
of the story. What does she give up for her children? ..her family life, …
her own love and fulfillment? How effective is Joan Crawford in her
depiction of mother, wife, lover and ‘40s everywoman?
 Ida Corwin, as portrayed by Eve Arden, is one of the more interesting
supporting characters in the film. While she represents another type of
independent woman of the era, she has a truly unique attitude that
shines in Arden’s performance. Note Ida’s sarcasm and witty
observations about the film’s other characters, like: “Veda’s convinced
me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young.” Or: “When
men get around me they get allergic to wedding rings.” How does Ida
also function as a 1940s gal-pal to Mildred?