Kate Winslet perfects role of “Mildred Pierce”

Kate Winslet is sheer perfection in the title role of the HBO miniseries “Mildred Pierce,” directed by Todd Haynes and based on the 1941 novel by James M. Cain.

Winslet is captivating as she completely inhabits the character of Mildred Pierce, appearing in nearly every scene of the film.

Guy Pearce achieves excellence as well as the dashing Monty Beragon, a major love in Mildred’s life, who may or may not have Mildred’s best interests at heart.

The five-part drama follows the independent, ambitious and hard-working Mildred Pierce after she and her husband Bert (Brian F. O’Byrne) separate in Glendale, California in 1931 and then rebuilds her life for herself and her two daughters, Veda (Morgan Turner), 11; and Ray (Quinn McColgan), 7.

While looking for a job, Mildred gets dating advice from her neighbor and friend Lucy Gessler (former Tulsa resident Melissa Leo), winds up having an affair with an ex-business partner of her husband’s, Wally Burgan (James LeGros); then takes up waitressing at a diner where she is mentored by co-worker Ida (Mare Winningham).

Mildred’s specialty is cooking, particularly pie-baking, and she starts selling her homemade pies at the diner.

Then with Burgan’s assistance, she finds the perfect spot for a restaurant, her business takes off, and Mildred and Bert end their marriage in an amicable divorce.