2011 Mar 29

Kate Winslet struggled with “tough” break-up scenes in “Mildred Pierce”

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Kate Winslet has revealed that she struggled to portray the breakdown of a relationship in new TV mini-series Mildred Pierce, because the scenes reminded her of splitting from husband Sam Mendes.

The Titanic star announced the end of her seven-year marriage to the American Beauty director last year (10).

“It was tough. There were moments like that one where I was using things from my own life in my performance,” the Daily Express quoted Kate as saying.

“There were days when I’d almost feel comatose.”

But the actress found a delicious distraction during filming in the form of male model Louis Dowler, whom she dated for eight months.

In Mildred Pierce, a remake of the 1945 Joan Crawford film, Winslet plays an American in the Thirties who refuses to be a victim of the economic downturn and works hard to make something of herself.

“I connected with Mildred. I share her survival instinct. My parents didn’t have any money. I know what it’s like to work hard to get by and make something of yourself,” she said.

Source: DNA India

2011 Mar 29

“Mildred Pierce” miniseries recap & review: Part One & Part Two

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Career Interviews/Articles Reviews

Mildred Pierce is a beautiful five part mini-series based on the 1941 novel of the same name by James M. Cain. Set in Glendale, California in 1931, this story follows a woman who is struggling to balance her new life as a single mother with two children and a new career.

In Part One, we meet Mildred Pierce (Kate Winslet) and Bert Pierce (Brian F. O’Byrne), a couple in a very hostile relationship. Mildred appears to be doing most of the work and taking on most of the sacrifices. When she asks Bert for simple forms of help, it becomes too much and he bails. His affair with a woman named Maggie also might have to do with his sudden exit.

The revelation to Mildred’s two children about their deadbeat father leaving was heartbreaking. Morgan Turner who portrays young Veda Pierce is a remarkably talented actress. At just eleven years old, Turner is clearly well fit for this craft and should not be overlooked in a mini series full of award winning actors and nominees. Young Veda ends up becoming one the most of evil little girls HBO has come across and it is mainly to do with Turner’s fantastic performance.

Another significant moment in part one took place when Mildred was counting change in the market, putting back one item for a more significant item. Mildred’s frustration was subtle yet incredibly painful. But this doesn’t last for too long… or does it? After quite a handful of unsuccessful attempts, Mildred gets a job as a waitress at a local diner with Ida Corwin (Mare Winningham) training her. Not only that, a newly single Mildred takes on a brief but very steamy relationship with friend, Wally Burgan (James LeGros). Mildred’s other friend and seemingly neighborhood gossip, Lucy Gessler (Melissa Leo) seems to be just as thrilled as Mildred. It’s fascinating, the reminder of how women were treated back in the day without a husband in their lives.

Continue reading “Mildred Pierce” miniseries recap & review: Part One & Part Two

2011 Mar 28

AskMen interviews Kate Winslet

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Interviews/Articles Personal

Was becoming an actress always a goal for you?

Kate Winslet: Yes, I always wanted to be an actress for as long as I can remember, and I’m incredibly fortunate that my career has turned out the way it has.

Which of your early roles really changed things for you?

KW: Playing Juliet in Heavenly Creatures changed my life, and the role of Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind opened many new doors creatively.

You’re quite a stranger to bad reviews. How do you do it?

KW: Luck? I have no idea!

Do you ever watch your own films? Do you find it difficult to see yourself on screen?

KW: I watch them once, and that’s it. The experience of making a movie is far removed from watching the end result. It’s exciting, but it still makes me squirm.

Which global causes do you feel particularly strongly about?

KW: Autism. I narrated a film about an autistic boy called A Mother’s Courage and, as a result, was impelled to set up a new charity: www.goldenhatfoundation.org.

Continue reading AskMen interviews Kate Winslet

2011 Mar 28

Download “Mildred Pierce”

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Good morning, fellow Katers!

I thought I’d share with those of you, like me, who are not in the United States, links to download Mildred Pierce:

Part 1 and Part 2

Please share your thoughts in the comments after you see it! :)

2011 Mar 26

Video and captures: Kate on The View

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Here’s the video of the full interview Kate gave to the presenters of The View yesterday, March 25:

And here are captures of the interview:


VIDEO LINKS:
• Interviews: The View – March 25, 2011

GALLERY LINKS:
• Talk Shows: The View – March 25, 2011

2011 Mar 26

Kate Winslet wins over critics as Mildred Pierce

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Kate Winslet has wowed critics in her HBO series debut.

Kate Winslet, the British actress usually known for her big screen parts, has taken up the title role in the new HBO mini-series Mildred Pierce, which will premiere tomorrow.

As reported by Hollywood Today, critics attended a HBO screening in Los Angeles yesterday, with a Q and A session with the show’s producers and the actors. Based on the 1941 James M. Cain film starring Joan Crawford, Winslet plays Pierce, a mother raising her two daughters against the backdrop of 1930s Depression. Her performance has been almost universally praised, with the New York Times calling her “an amazing actress, capable of showing every nuance of feeling.”

Evan Rachel Wood who stars opposite the actress as teenage daughter Veda, was quick to heap praise on her co-star. Speaking to Associated Press she said of Winslet “She’s just brilliant. She’s my favorite actress and I’ve wanted to work with her forever. I was tearing up when I first got to meet her.” Speaking about Winslet’s challenge with such a difficult role: “I don’t know how she got through this. She had such a massive thing to tackle and she never broke or complained.”

Source: Contactmusic

2011 Mar 26

Winslet gifted with curse-laden memento from “Mildred Pierce” shoot

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Kate Winslet has a unique gift to remember her time on the set of TV mini-series Mildred Pierce — a gag reel filled with the actress’ expletive-laden outtakes.

The Titanic star plays the title role in the upcoming 1930s drama, about a young mother who opens up a bakery to earn some extra cash.

But Winslet struggled to keep in character throughout the shoot and would often let slip a few curse words, so producers decided to gather up all of the rude bloopers and presented Winslet with the complete collection when filming wrapped.

The Oscar winner was keen to show off the footage, but she soon realized it wasn’t quite so suitable to screen to her kids, Mia, 10, and Joe, seven.

Speaking on US talk show The View on Friday, Winslet says, “To have this was so much fun and I thought, ‘Oh, well I can show the children.’ So we sat down and I said, ‘Guys, guys this is really exciting, it’s all the silly bits, when mistakes happen.’ So we put it on. Three seconds later I was like, ‘Off! We’ll watch that when you’re 18.'”

Source: Yahoo! News UK