"Mildred Pierce" is an unremarkable American housewife. In addition to the multitude of household chores, she also has to raise two children on her own. Her relationship with her husband leaves much to be desired, and one day, unable to tolerate his abusive nature and constant infidelity, she leaves him. Now she has to support her daughters on her own, which means finding a job and starting a new life from scratch. The heroine gets a job as a waitress in a café, which seems to solve many problems. However, her attempts to find personal happiness often end in failure, and life throws her new challenges and disappointments.