Mildred Pierce
A hard-working mother inches towards disaster as she divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to support her spoiled daughter.
Critics Sentiment
Mildred discovers Veda in Monte's arms at the beach house
Kay Pierce dies of pneumonia while Mildred is away with Monte
The film surges from the tragedy of Kay's death to Mildred's triumphant business success as she channels grief into determination
Critics consistently praised Mildred Pierce as a sophisticated blend of film noir and melodrama, anchored by Joan Crawford's career-defining performance. The film maintains strong reception throughout, building from an atmospheric noir opening through Mildred's rise and fall, culminating in a devastating emotional climax that reviewers found both shocking and dramatically satisfying. While some noted the story becomes more synthetic in its middle sections, the powerhouse performances and Michael Curtiz's masterful direction sustain critical acclaim across the entire runtime.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 58
Joan Crawford
Mildred Pierce
Jack Carson
Wally Fay
Zachary Scott
Monte Beragon
Eve Arden
Ida Corwin
Ann Blyth
Veda Pierce Forrester
Bruce Bennett
Albert 'Bert' Pierce
Lee Patrick
Maggie Biederhof
Moroni Olsen
Inspector Peterson
Veda Ann Borg
Miriam Ellis
Jo Ann Marlowe
Kay Pierce
Butterfly McQueen
Lottie (uncredited)
Bill Alcorn
Soldier (uncredited)
Betty Alexander
Party Guest (uncredited)
Ramsay Ames
Party Guest (uncredited)
George Anderson
Peterson's Assistant (uncredited)
Robert Arthur
High School Boy (uncredited)
Lynn Baggett
Waitress (uncredited)
Leah Baird
Police Matron (uncredited)
Dorothy Barrett
Dorothy (uncredited)
Barbara Brown
Mrs. Forrester (uncredited)
Crew
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