Set in Glendale, California during the Great Depression of the 1930s. A recent divorcee (Kate Winslet) struggles to raise her two daughters: the pretentious Veda (Morgan Turner who morphs into Evan Rachel Wood) and the tomboyish Ray (Quinn McColgan). She eventually finds financial success when she turns her pie baking skills into a successful series of restaurants. She's less of a success as a mother as she indulges her older daughter's selfish ways and doesn't realize she's created a monster! Based on the novel by James M. Cain (previously filmed in 1945) and directed by Todd Haynes (FAR FROM HEAVEN). Cain's novel is about a middle class divorcee trying to maintain her lifestyle during the depression and about her tumultuous relationship with her devious daughter. The popular 1945 film adaptation turned it into a film noir by adding a murder which isn't in the book thus changing Cain's intent where there is no violence. Running over five hours, Haynes' adaptation is a faithful rendering of Cain's novel. Winslet gives a virtuoso performance and seeing a real actress in the part (sorry, Crawford fans) is a revelation. With Guy Pearce, Melissa Leo, Mare Winningham, James LeGros, Brian F. O'Byrne and Hope Davis.
No comments:
Post a Comment