Nominee
This movie is a classic who done it with great characterization. With no butler to pin it on you would think that you don't have a go to answer, and guess what you don't but this movie makes you think you do! This is a great demonstration of the simple mind games cinema used to play with the audience, now we have crazy out there plots like Inception and the Adjustment Bureau, before things were much simpler and they worked just as well.
The characters are what keep this movie afloat. You have our leading lady, Mildred Pierce, who is severely flawed and right when you think she has finally triumphed and done what she needed to do, you realize once again she didn't. Then you have her daughter Veda. I did not think anyone could beat Scarlet O'Hara (speaking of Gone with the Wind, you know the maid girl with the really annoying voice...SHE IS IN THIS MOVIE! So instructions for increase in the quality of your viewing experience: every time she appears plug your ears and count to ten...all set...back to business) in being selfish and annoying but here you are ladies and gents, the winner. I wanted to jump into the screen and hit her so many times. Mildred's right hand lady in all her business endeavors, Ida is the hard hitting realist of a feminist that is always a fun character. Then we have Wally, you know that guy who thinks he is a really smooth operator but then actually isn't so is really awkward to watch however kinda endearing?? you know that one?? Well that's him. Then there is Monte Beragon, the smarmy leeching going bankrupt rich guy, and her ex who is ex like. WAIT one more...Kay!!! She dies but is really cute and one of two entirely likable characters, Ida being the other.
Otherwise this film was average. No particularly interesting shooting choices or scoring....so now for the ...OVERALL!
Overall: I do recommend this one. It is not an example of a milkshake (i.e. the perfect blend of all parts of film making). However it displays how the story and the players in it are a huge component, and can make a movie if done well on their own. So who done it?
To throw my two cents in, I also thought the characterization was particularly good because I struggled to determine how I felt about most of the characters, with the exception of Veda, Kay, and Ida. Kay was an angel and Veda the opposite, and Ida was the comedic relief, but for everyone else it was like . . . well Mildred, her priorities are out of whack but her drive and resolve are really impressive . . . her ex has better discernment, but no get up and go, Harry imposes himself on her but he actually has good intentions, Monte is sleazy . . . but charming . . .
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame because between Mildred's drive and her ex's better character judgment, they might have been really good couple if they hadn't been divided on that one crucial point . . .