Pulp Fiction discussion

I've just finished the book Mildred Pierce. The film version starring Joan Crawford and Ann Blyth has been a favorite of mine for a long time, so I was astonished to find how much the book and the movie differ, especially the fact that the book is much less grisly and noirish than the film.

Does anyone feel it is a good adaptation? Which do you prefer? Has anyone seen the HBO special starring Kate Winslet to compare?

I've never read the book. I did see the HBO mini-series (too long IMO) which reportedly sticks very close to the book -- even right down to the dialogue -- and it has very little in common with the Joan Crawford movie.

I liked the HBO mini series as it was very similar to the book. But I'm not sure about the Joan Crawford movie, I've not seen it

I've been watching the HBO series, but I'm not done. It does seem to stick very close to the book and de-glamorizes Mildred, unlike the Joan Crawford version. But because of that, I like it a lot less.

And no one can compare to Ann Blyth as Veda. Although she doesn't fit the physical description of Veda from the book, her haughtiness makes sense and you really understand why Mildred wants to give her everything.

I also saw the Crawford movie first, and knew Cain only from 'Postman,' so I asumed the film whitewashed out the darkness. Not so much. It was a good book, but I thought it had more in common with women's dramas. Restaurant procedural (ha). Haven't seen the Winslet version, but assume she's a terrific Mildred.

I loved both movies. The Todd Haynes (recent) version is very faithful to the book. The Michael Curtiz version much less so. Amazing that one book can inspire two such different yet excellent adaptations.

Restaurant procedural is dead on, Remy. Love that. Such a richly detailed book.

I didn't know Mildred Pierce was made into a film. Yet as Samantha noted, "I was astonished to find how much the book and the movie differ, especially the fact that the book is much less grisly and noirish than the film."

See that just kills me. I know the movie is never like the book but it makes me want to shot my TV when it becomes obvious the director either hasn't read the book or attempts to change the tone. A major reason Noir books become classics is because of their unique feel.

"The Kill Inside Me" by Jim Thompson and "The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler are two other film adaptations that strayed too far from the source.

To be fair, the filmmakers of the original Mildred Pierce DID read the book, and Joan Crawford fought for the role, but I think it was altered to fit the growing desire for noir at the time. It's an excellent movie and I don't think it demeans the book at all. They both stand as excellent works, but they're indeed different. I highly recommend the movie.