Mildred Pierce (2011) - The A.V. Club

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Season 1

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5. Part Five
4. Part Four
3. Part Three
2. Part Two
1. Part One

Cast

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Kate Winslet
Mildred Pierce
Guy Pearce
Monty Beragon
Evan Rachel Wood
Veda Pierce
Brían F. O'Byrne
Bert Pierce
Melissa Leo
Lucy Gessler
James Le Gros
Wally Burgan
Mare Winningham
Ida Corwin
Marin Ireland
Letty
Murphy Guyer
Mr. Pierce
Diane Kagan
Mrs. Pierce
Christopher Koron
Archie
Morgan Turner
Veda Pierce
Halley Feiffer
Arline
Hope Davis
Mrs. Forrester
Miriam Shor
Anna
Robb Webb
Radio Announcer
Margaret Hall
Mrs. Floyd
Quinn McColgan
Ray Pierce

Synopsis

Glendale, California, 1931: Mildred Pierce, a young mother with a talent for baking, is left a "grass widow" after throwing her husband, Bert, out of the house. Forced to hunt for work to support herself and her two young daughters, 11-year-old Veda and seven-year-old Ray, Mildred visits an employment agency, only to encounter job opportunities she feels are beneath her. Amidst her job search, she receives dating advice from her friend and neighbor, Lucy Gessler, and begins an unexpected affair with an ex-business partner of her husband's, Wally Burgan. When Mildred receives a call from the agency regarding an opening as a housekeeper to a wealthy socialite, she reluctantly agrees to meet with her. After cutting the acerbic interview short, Mildred seeks refuge at a local diner, Cristofor's Café, where fate, and a waitress named Ida, will play a role in shaping her future.