Part Three (3 Apr. 2011)

After her youngest daughter's funeral, Mildred concentrates on opening her new restaurant. Opening night is a smashing success and even Veda seems to approve. It's all a little too busy for... See full summary »

Director:

Todd Haynes

Writers:

James M. Cain (novel), Todd Haynes (teleplay),

Stars:

Kate Winslet, Brían F. O'Byrne, Melissa Leo

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Winslet	...	Mildred Pierce
Brían F. O'Byrne	...	Bert Pierce
Melissa Leo	...	Lucy Gessler
Murphy Guyer	...	Mr. Pierce
James Le Gros	...	Wally Burgan (as James LeGros)
Diane Kagan	...	Mrs. Pierce
Guy Pearce	...	Monty Beragon
Lillian Lifflander	...	Mildred's Mother
Mare Winningham	...	Ida Corwin
James Biberi	...	Priest
Margaret Hall	...	Mrs. Floyd
Rocco Sisto	...	Mr. Rossi
Billy Hunter	...	Bank Teller
Erwin Falcon	...	Pancho
Marin Ireland	...	Letty

Storyline

After her youngest daughter's funeral, Mildred concentrates on opening her new restaurant. Opening night is a smashing success and even Veda seems to approve. It's all a little too busy for a first night but friends come to the rescue. When Monty Beragon shows up, she learns that he is quite a well-known personality. Veda is quite taken with him. Monty recommends a new music teacher for Veda and Mildred decides to start saving to buy her a proper piano. With the repeal of prohibition, neighbor Lucy suggests that Mildred opens a bar in the restaurant. Vera, not happy with the wristwatch her mother gave her for Christmas, rebels. She blames Monty for turning Veda against her.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 2011 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Killer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

66 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Quotes

Monty Beragon: I get it. You want the "I love you." scene.
Mildred Pierce: I want you to go.
Monty Beragon: Oh, we're talking about words. I'm not a poet. I... I say something my own way and wham, you go moral on me. It's a pure question of communication, and...
Mildred Pierce: That's a lie!
Monty Beragon: If you don't...
Mildred Pierce: All I've ever been to you is a piece of tail. You're ashamed of me! It's no surprise. I've known it all along! Why don't you just admit it, Monty? You look down on me because I work!

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Soundtracks

"Galop Infernal"
(from Orpheus in the Underworld) (uncredited)
by Jacques Offenbach
(Veda plays on piano)

User Reviews

M.Pierce 1.3 Happy Days Aren't Here Again ***

While better than the first episode, this one is being held back because Kate Winslet is simply not for the part. There are weak emotional outbursts from her in her scenes with Veda. This version of Cain's classic pulls no punches. Immediately, we see a relationship evolving between Monte and the horrible Miss Veda.

The restaurant scenes are excellent. We get to the true grit of a chicken and pie restaurant. This is really marvelously staged.

We see the depression again emphasized with Mildred's endorsement of Roosevelt, while she castigates Hoover. As a working woman, Mildred, in this version, understands the plight of the worker.

Guy Pearce shows great acting depth as Monty. We see this especially in the scenes where he is able to give it back to her after her screaming match with him regarding Veda.

Burt Pierce is played much more with sympathy in this version. While Ida shows up at the grand opening of the restaurant and soon dons an apron, we miss the Eve Arden wise cracking in the 1945 classic.