Fans of cinematic TV will not want to miss Mildred Pierce, HBO’s five part mini-series which premieres on Sky Atlantic this saturday.

 

On hiatus from movies is Kate Winslet, playing the titular single mom who strikes out on her own after her husband leaves her and two daughters in depression era California. James M Cain’s novel was already made into a classic Hollywood picture starring Joan Crawford in 1945; this new version enjoys the stately pace allowed in miniseries television. Director Todd Haynes also brings the modern sensibility that we saw in his film Far from Heaven, where the set-up was Dorris Day but the realities under the surface were latent homosexuality and female frustrations. So expect some sauciness amid the period detail and fashions.

 

Offering a cast that includes Oscar winner Melissa Leo, Hope Davis and Guy Pearce, it promises to be a classy affair all round with handsome photography and sparky dialogue. Episode one sets the scene as Mildred becomes desperate for work and has her heckles raised when the starchy Lady at the employment bureau intones: “You haven’t got a chance!”

 

Will her pride allow her to take work as a waitress? More’s the point will her plummy daughter Veda approve?