Mildred Pierce

The new MILDRED PIERCE is finally unspooling here in the UK. I missed the first episode but simply loved the second one. Of course being 5 hours, Todd Haynes has time to tell the story, from the James M Cain novel, and pile on the period detail with that California in the 30s look: the houses, decor, cars, costumes etc.

Veda is already shaping up nicely, and Kate Winslet again shows she is THE actress of her generation - no comedies about dogs for her! Guy Pearce is also an inspired bit of casting as Monty Beragon. Much as I like the Curtiz film with Joan Crawford and Anne Blyth, Eve Arden, Jack Carson, Zachery Scott and Butteryfly McQueen, it is a souped up version with the murder invented to fit in with the film noir background. This version really catches the desperation of that depression-era with all those women looking for work...



Here's to enjoying the rest of it - perhaps the best period drama since DOWNTON ABBEY?