Part Four (10 Apr. 2011)

As the years have gone by, Mildred has become quite a successful businesswoman. It's now 1937 and she and Lucy, now a partner, is looking to open her third restaurant on Laguna Beach after ... See full summary »

Director:

Todd Haynes

Writers:

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

Stars:

Kate Winslet, Evan Rachel Wood, Brían F. O'Byrne

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Kate Winslet	...	Mildred Pierce
Evan Rachel Wood	...	Veda Pierce
Brían F. O'Byrne	...	Bert Pierce
Melissa Leo	...	Lucy Gessler
James Le Gros	...	Wally Burgan (as James LeGros)
Mare Winningham	...	Ida Corwin
Hope Davis	...	Mrs. Forrester
Ronald Guttman	...	Carlo Treviso
Halley Feiffer	...	Arline
Miriam Shor	...	Anna
Marin Ireland	...	Letty
Murphy Guyer	...	Mr. Pierce
Daniel London	...	Mr. Levinson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marc Bicking	...	Restaurant Patron
Bridget Burke	...	Elaine

Storyline

As the years have gone by, Mildred has become quite a successful businesswoman. It's now 1937 and she and Lucy, now a partner, is looking to open her third restaurant on Laguna Beach after having opened her second place in Beverly Hills. Veda has grown into an attractive 18 year-old but is no less selfish as a young adult. She's taken to partying and staying out until all hours but refuses to follow her mother's advice. She's now thinking that she wants to be an actress, which Mildred encourages. She is soon pregnant but the child's father refuses to marry her leaving Mildred in the dark until she learns that something is going on from the boy's mother. Veda however wants something other than marriage from the boy and his family. Mildred throws her out but after several months with no word from her, learns that Veda has become a successful singer.

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Plot Keywords:

faked pregnancy

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 2011 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kate Winslet shares a scene with Hope Davis. Davis played the role of Nancy in the Broadway play 'God of Carnage,' while Winslet played it in the film version, Carnage.

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Goofs

In the end credits the Triple Concerto by Beethoven is identified as Op. 55. It is actually his Op. 56.

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Quotes

Mildred Pierce: But why, Veda? Haven't I given you everything you've ever wanted? If there was something you needed, couldn't you have come to me first instead of resorting to this? To blackmail?
Veda Pierce: You want to know why? I'll tell you why. With enough money, I can get away from you! You... And your pie-wagons, and chickens, and everything that smells of grease! I can get away from Glendale, and its dollar days, and furniture factories, and women that wear uniforms and men that wear smocks! From every rotten, ...
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User Reviews

Location, location, location!

Mildred has found a property where she plans to turn into another Mildred's, with a twist. Located in Laguna Beach, the place is the perfect spot for the newest restaurant in the chain. She brings Lucy to take a look at the location for the restaurant. Lucy comes up with a brilliant idea, instead of making it another chicken place, why not have fish that is plentiful and cheap? Mildred is delighted with the prospect.

It is 1937. Years have gone by, but Veda is still the nasty little girl with her nose up in the air thinking she is better than her mother. Veda's passion for the piano suffer a setback when she learns of the sudden death of Mr. Hannen, who took her as his student, and has been an influence in her life. She is devastated. Mildred suggests finding another coach that can help her. Veda decides to go see Carlo Treviso, a conductor of note, who takes private students. Her audition with the maestro goes badly, so mother and daughter are offended by the bluntness of Treviso's rejection.

Veda begins to see a fast young crowd, way out of her league. With her mother coming to some money now, she is quickly accepted by a group of idle young men and women. One of the new friends, Elaine, is a starlet trying to make it in the movies. Suddenly, Veda feels that is the area where she would like to try. Mildred is concerned about her daughter's own well being. One day, while resting, Mildred is aroused by the loud playing coming from the living room.

One night Veda comes in quite late. Mildred watches her drunken escort struggling to get in the car. The following morning Mildred goes to the patio, where she finds Veda lounging around reading movie magazines. Mildred wants to know about her friends and comments that according to Lucy, she has been seen with her fast friends at the Laguna restaurant. Veda offers only her side of the story blaming Lucy for not minding her own business. While Mildred is at the Glendale restaurant, a waitress comes to announce the arrival of Mrs. Lenhardt, in whom Mildred recognizes Mrs. Forrester, who had interviewed her for a job as a housekeeper. This woman has come to discuss the situation of their children. Her son, Sam, has been seen with Veda all over town. Mrs. Lenhardt is shocked because her son comes from a different, and richer background. She will not be blackmailed by Veda.

Mildred, quite disturbed goes home to find her daughter. Veda is not home, so Mildred falls asleep awaiting her arrival. When confronted, Veda tells her mother she is pregnant. She had thought it advisable to withhold the fact from Mildred. Veda goes on to reveal she had already spoken to Wally Burman. Veda hoped to get a nice settlement to get out of Sam's life.

Horrified by what she learns, Mildred calls Bert for a talk. In the end, they agree the only possible solution is for Sam to marry their daughter. Mildred informs Veda of her decision, something that brings the worst in her daughter who lashes against her telling her mother she wanted the money to get out of the house. She utters all kinds of nasty things against Mildred, who in a moment of rage, tell her to leave her house right away.

Mildred is too upset with Veda out of the house. She had heard she is living in Hollywood, so one night she goes past the building where her daughter is living, and watches as Veda comes home. Distraught with the finding, she cannot sleep. In that state, she is surprised when Bert arrives with a newspaper showing a radio program where Veda Pierce will sing. The night of the concert, Bert and Mildred sit at the Laguna restaurant as Veda begins to sing. Mildred walks away to toward the pier not to let anyone see her crying.

Another good episode of this mini-series conceived by Todd Haynes, and based in James Cain's novel. The original material was adapted by Jon and Jonathan Raymond. Kate Winslet's Mildred is one of her best work. Ms. Winslet is an intelligent actress who shows her range in the program. Evan Rachel Wood is perfect as the nasty Veda, the conceited spoiled daughter. Hope Davis impressed with her Mrs. Lenhardt. The supporting players contribute to Mr. Haynes'success directing the adaptation.