The Mildred Pierce Trailer: Kate Winslet Moves One Step Closer to an EGOT
The major networks aren't going to like this one bit. HBO has unveiled the first trailer for Todd Haynes' 5-part mini-series adaptation of Mildred Pierce, starring Kate Winslet, Evan Rachel Wood and Guy Pearce, and it basically screams Emmys. Prepare to see all these people conga line up the podium during the ceremony next year... unless the awards telecast gets relegated to cable.
The Great Kate stars as the titular Mildred Pierce (the role that won Joan Crawford an Oscar in Michael Curitz's 1945 film version of James M. Cain's novel), a California housewife who struggles during the Great Depression to keep her family afloat. That means taking a job as a waitress -- much to the disgust of her spoiled daughter Veda (Wood) -- while also finding time for a wealthy lover and mustache aficionado (Pearce). Melodrama ensues, and if it feels like Haynes has nailed the tone of all this, that's probably because he has already done it before in Far From Heaven.
Winslet is a natural lock for Best Actress in a Miniseries, meaning all she needs is a Tony and Grammy to complete the EGOT. Can a stage version of Mildred Pierce, followed by a concept album be far behind?
VERDICT: Sold.
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Yes, what I really like about it is that at 5 parts, it has so much more time to let the story breath. The film, terrific as it was, clipped along in the brilliant Curtiz manner. But the 2 hours meant that the melodrama became hysterical. Perfect pitch for Joan of course, but here, with Veda now being a classical singer rather than a roadhouse skiv, is great.
I just wonder if we get THAT great scene... you know the one...
"With this money I can get away from you. From you and your chickens and your pies and your kitchens and everything that smells of grease. I can get away from this shack with its cheap furniture. And this town and its dollar days, and its women that wear uniforms and its men that wear overalls. You think just because you made a little money you can get a new hairdo and some expensive clothes and turn yourself into a lady. But you can't, because you'll never be anything but a common frump whose father lived over a grocery store and whose mother took in washing. With this money I can get away from every rotten, stinking thing that makes me think of this place or you!"
This looks extremely pretentious.
I think she only would need a Tony, doesn't she already have a Grammy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Winslet#Awards_for_other_work
mr rosen, i am going to fact check and I am sure you wont mind because it just mean that the lovely Kate Winselt is one step closer to the coveted EGOT than you thought.
Kate has already won her Grammy - in 2000 she was awarded for the Best Spoken World Album for Children.
Oscar - CHECK
Grammy - CHECK
Emmy - August 2011
Tony - TBA (but does anyone really doubt that this wont happen? she could stare off into space on broadway and still win a much deserved Tony!)
Yet, another remake... Leave the classic film alone. Joan Crawford was and is Mildred Pierce. There isn't an actress in Hollywood who could fill Crawford's shoes...