1945
Warner Bros.
111 min
USA
Michael Curtiz
"Mildred had more to offer in a glance, than most woman give in a lifetime."
Joan Crawford gives her signature performance (an Oscar winner!) as James M. Cain's ultimate maternal martyr, in thrall to her own femme fatale daughter, Veda (a deliciously venal Ann Blyth). The twisted combination of high-strung soap opera and hard-edged pulp produced what may be the greatest Hollywood melodrama of all time.
"Loving her was like shaking hands with the devil."
Joan Crawford is divorced mother Mildred Pierce. She takes a job as a waitress to support the habits of her demanding daughter and eventually earns the girl a place in society when she becomes a successful restaurant owner. But nothing is enough for Veda (Ann Blyth) and things get dark.