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HBO’s “Mildred Pierce” returns to its literary roots

If you’re undecided about whether to have kids, help is on the way. This Sunday, HBO premieres Parts 1 and 2 of its five-part original miniseries Mildred Pierce, starring Kate Winslet. Motherhood has never looked so grim.

Here’s the story, in brief, to refresh your memory. In 1931, Mildred is a woman determined to give her daughters Veda and Ray everything they want and need in life, despite the fact that her husband’s once thriving business has tanked and he is unemployed and unfaithful. Oldest daughter Veda is a snob, furious when her mom kicks her dad out of the house and takes a job as a waitress. As the 10-year story progresses, Mildred achieves success in her career and has affairs with several men. Meanwhile, Veda becomes a selfish monster and Mildred’s obsession with trying to win her over is the sad heart of the story.

Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood, who plays Veda in her late teens, talked to HBO about the mother/daughter relationship.

What a delightful daughter.

Director Todd Haynes read James M. Cain‘s novel several years ago and was taken with how Mildred’s plight mirrors much of what is going on today. Since the Pierce family was wealthy before the market crash, he believes their struggle is closer to ours than most stories set in the Depression.

Executive producer Christine Vachon (an out lesbian) agrees. “[The novel] felt unbelievably relevant. A young woman has to figure out how to support her family against all odds.”

Too bad one of the odds against her is her daughter.

A few overall comments and then we’ll get into specifics. Spoilers ahead, so stop now if you wish to remain spoiler free. (You might want to avoid the HBO promotions, too, since they give away a bit too much of the story.)

If you’ve watched the original 1945 version of Mildred Pierce, don’t expect a remake from HBO. Some of the plot points are the same, of course, since both Mildreds come from the same source. But the miniseries, true to the book, does not start with a murder. The story is linear, not a flashback.

Like the original, however, it is Mildred’s movie. Kate Winslet is in every scene – every single scene – and gives an Emmy-worthy performance. The melodrama that Joan Crawford brought to the role – and Carol Burnett parodied so marvelously – is not Winslet’s style. And, at the risk of being flamed by classic movie buffs and gay men, I think Kate’s Mildred leaves Joan’s in the dustbowl. Of course, I would expect nothing less than amazing from Ms. Winslet, who relished the role. (Non-U.S. readers should be able to find all videos on HBO’s YouTube page or on the HBO website.)

The series begins with an almost frame-by-frame retelling of the book. Mildred decorates a huge cake as husband Bert (Brian F. O’Byrne) mows the lawn. But the idyllic setting deteriorates the moment Bert comes inside as Mildred critiques his timing for watering the yard. Before long, we learn that Bert’s real estate firm has gone under and he is unemployed. He also is having an affair. Mildred kicks him out of the house and finds herself in need of a job.

With the reminder that you’ll see a lot of story in this short preview, here’s a look at Part 1.

Morgan Turner, a relative newcomer who won the part despite competition from Elle Fanning, plays Veda in Parts 1-3. (We only saw the adult Veda in the first Mildred Pierce.) Wood gets higher billing for playing Veda in her late teens, but Turner certainly matches Wood’s performance. She goes from charming little girl to manipulative little vixen effortlessly. I expect this to be Turner’s breakthrough role, assuming she wants to continue acting. And I hope she does.

Veda is humiliated to learn that her mother is working as a waitress until Mildred tells her that she’s just learning the business to open her own restaurant. That mollifies Veda for the moment, prompting Mildred to actually follow through. The fact that the restaurant serves only chicken and pie is proof positive that Kate Winslet is the perfect woman.

Wally Burgan (James LeGros), who is enjoying Mildred’s cooking and bed, thinks he can find the financing to help get things started. Here’s a look at Part 2.

Without revealing the huge spoiler I’d have to drop to explain, I encourage you not to give up in despair after Part 2. The tragedy that ends the episode is pivotal, but Part 3 doesn’t dwell on it. In fact, the third episode is downright happy. Mildred’s chicken-and-pie place is a hit and two of the series’ other strong supporting characters, Melissa Leo as Lucy and Mare Winningham as Ida provide the encouragement and help to make the most of the restaurant’s success.

For Parts 4 and 5, Wood arrives on the scene as an older, if not exactly more mature, Veda. Wood picks up right where Turner left off; surely, the two actresses worked together to achieve such a seamless transition.

Wood’s Veda is cold and calculating, devoid of any flashes of innocence and joy. She even uses her considerable musical talent to manipulate others to do her bidding. Associated Press asked Wood to talk about playing Veda.

The final two parts are pretty bleak, as Mildred’s steamy relationship with Monty (Guy Pearce) fizzles and flames and fizzles again, and she finally gets fed up with Veda and kicks her out of the house. Mildred is a wreck without Veda, but their “reconciliation” in the final hour leads to a denouement that was too scandalous for the 1945 version. It is, in fact, why the murder was added to the first Mildred Pierce – to give the story a different frame. I admit, I was a bit jarred myself – but Wood nails the scene. Let’s leave it at that.

Since AfterEllen.com has had fun speculating about the Kate/Evan kiss scene, I won’t ruin it except to say that it is not the least bit incestuous. And since much has been made of Winslet as Wood’s nudity coach and merkin consultant, I have to say that Wood’s nude scene was not only essential to the story, it was also a fine piece of, um, acting. (Sorry.) Seriously, the accolades Wood deserves for that scene have nothing to do with how gorgeous she is.

And yes, Winslet is nude, too – frequently, in fact. And she, too, is gorgeous.

Is Mildred Pierce a must-see? I’d say yes. At times, it seems too long, but I don’t know what Haynes could have cut out without compromising the story’s impact. And I watched the entire series (around five and one-half hours) in one sitting, so that may have contributed to the occasional sense of tedium.

Besides, next Spring’s television awards shows are going to be dominated by HBO’s Mildred Pierce and you will want to know why. You may not feel uplifted when the credits roll, but I think you’ll feel that watching the series was time well spent.

Do you plan to watch Mildred Pierce when Part 1 airs Sunday, March 27?

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