The Frame

In the Bette Davis vs. Joan Crawford debate, I generally come down on the side of Bette Davis, because I simply find that Joan Crawford…how do I say…can’t act. At all. And she’s not attractive. Now, Bette Davis, also not that attractive, but she can act. However, Joan Crawford somehow manages to imbue Mildred Pierce with great vulnerability, strength, and sympathy. She deals with deadbeat husbands, hellion children, owning a business, and oh yeah, murder. The mixture of melodrama and film noir works extremely well, and the film as a whole is a perfect example of what the Golden Age Hollywood production machine could turn out on a good day.
Well Above Average