Mildred Pierce1945

Ida:
You never used to drink during the day.

Mildred:
I never used to drink at all. It's just a little habit I picked up from men.

Ida:
Oh, men. I never yet met one of them who didn't have the instincts of a heel. Sometimes I wish I could get along without 'em.

Mildred:
You've never been married, have you, Ida?

Ida:
No. When men get around me, they get allergic to wedding rings. You know, 'Big sister type. Good old Ida. You can talk it over with her man to man.' I'm getting awfully tired of men talking to me man to man. I think I'll have a drink myself.

Mildred:
I'll take mine straight.

Ida:
Well, if you can take it, I can.

...

Mildred:
[about Veda] Have you seen her, Ida? Is she all right?

Ida:
Why don't you forget about her.

Mildred:
I can't. I've tried, but I can't.

Ida:
Well, try, try again. That's my motto.

Mildred:
You don't know what it's like being a mother, Ida. Veda's a part of me. Maybe she didn't turn out as well as I hoped she would when she was born, but she's still my daughter and I can't forget that. I went away to try. I was so mixed up I didn't know where I was or what I wanted. But now I know. Now I'm sure of one thing at least. I want my daughter back.

Ida:
Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young.