Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott) is shot dead in a beach house. His wife, Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford), is the prime suspect. But as she tells her story – shown in flashback – we learn what really happened.
This is both a noirish thriller and a family melodrama, examining Mildred’s intense relationship with her daughters – in particular the selfish social-climbing Veda (Ann Blyth).
Although the drama is expertly unwound and beautifully filmed, Mildred’s relationship with Veda didn’t quite ring true for this viewer. Yes, she was a doting mother, but she also seemed far too rational and well-adjusted to be so obsessive about her daughter.
Perhaps more compelling is the sad saga of a woman who is only ever manipulated or used by men, and who falls victim to a class prejudice that we are often told doesn’t exist in the USA.
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