What I’m Watching: Mildred Pierce

Mildred Pierce: Part 3 (B+)

In the third of its five installments, this miniseries continues to impress. Starting off with that wonderful theme, of course by talented composer Carter Burwell, this show strongly dives into its content after a beautiful musical introduction. I’m particularly wowed by the gorgeous shot of food being cut, cooked, and prepared, which helps us root for Mildred to succeed because the food she’s making looks so absolutely delicious. The opening of the restaurant made for an especially magnificent scene, with the first guests coming into the restaurant and then the kitchen being crowded with friends of Mildred’s looking to help her out and make her first night a big success. Monty’s entrance with the giant gift was quite memorably, shocking and one-upping both Burt and Wally. The couch scene with Monty was very well-scored with Vida’s piano playing, and the piano teacher proved to be quite a foe for Mildred’s monster daughter. Vida really is the snootiest, most awful child ever, being so bold as to smack her mother back after being admonished for being ungrateful for her gifts and refusing to put out her cigarette. Monty does feed into her haughtiness horribly, of course, by treating her like an adult and over-sharing far too much information about his love life with Mildred. This episode came to a rather mesmerizing end with Mildred nearly drowning as she rejected the violent advances of Monty and fled his home in the midst of a rainstorm. I’m looking forward to the conclusion of this great project with parts four and five this Sunday.