With the Hays code, the film adaptation of James M. Cain's novel had to be changed to depict Mildred Pierce in a less sympathetic light. More than half a century later, Todd Haynes teamed up with HBO to pick up the book and adapt it once again. Kate Winslet may not have the stern determination Judy Crawford had in depicting the title character, but her rendition, along with a script more faithful to the novel, transforms Mildred into an indulgent mother who, like many parents, would go to the ends of the earth for her devotion to Veda moving up a higher class, though hopefully not at the same expense Mildred allows Veda to take from her. With more time to expand on the characterization and on the class divide, Haynes’ Mildred Pierce unearths more of what the classic film failed to depict, and stands on its own as great television.

Veda is such a hateful character, but with Dilber Yunus’ and Sumi Jo’s voices behind her coloratura opera, you can understand how such a character can actually succeed even with how snobbish and terrible she acts towards the mom that provided for her.