Archive

Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood kiss and make up in the first “Mildred Pierce” trailer

Fans of Kate Winslet, Evan Rachel Wood, film noir, ’30s-era clothing, deception, obsession, greed, murder and all-around good acting will want to check out the first trailer for the HBO mini-series Mildred Pierce.

The trailer has all that and an uncomfortable mother-daughter kiss on the lips. Enjoy!

The epic (I think it’s fair to call it epic with a five-hour runtime) miniseries is helmed by out gay director Todd Haynes of Far from Heaven, Velvet Goldmine and I’m Not There fame. The film is based on the 1941 novel by James M. Cain, but this is not the first screen adaptation: It was famously turned into a 1945 film by the same name that earned its star, Joan Crawford, a best actress Oscar.

Winslet will fill Crawford’s sizeable shoulder pads. From the trailer it seems the Oscar-winner is giving her frown line a considerable workout as the long-suffering title character Mildred. Something tells me Winslet will be half way to an EGOT by the time this movie is over.

Playing her ungrateful, opera-singing daughter Veda is Wood. Now, I love the thought of these two facing off on screen. But let’s talk math — Wood is only 11 years younger than Winslet. There’s usually a bigger age difference between the leading man and leading lady.

Speaking of which, for those quick with a calculator there is a 9-year age difference between Winslet and lead actor Guy Pearce. He plays playboy Monty Beragon and Mildred’s lover. Oh, Hollywood.

Math-smath — the acting looks great. I’m particularly excited to see the fireworks between Winslet and Wood. As Mildred struggles to support her family in the Depression-era drama, her spoiled daughter, Veda, seems more interested in climbing the social ladder — or bed hopping, they’re so often intertwined, you know.

Now the 1945 classic is a favorite among many gays for its rapier dialog and, come on, we’re talking Joan Crawford. Mildred is feverishly devoted to Veda, despite her daughter’s devious, diva behavior. While Crawford was more than a match for Ann Blyth, who played her daughter in the film, Winslet and Wood seem more evenly matched. And then, well, there’s that kiss.

I’d better make extra popcorn, five hours of scheming and double-crossing demands it. Mildred Pierce is set to air in spring 2011 on HBO.

Lesbian Apparel and Accessories Gay All Day sweatshirt -- AE exclusive

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button