I’m creeped out.  I just finished watching "Mildred Pierce" on HBO and it reminded me of someone I know in the music business.  More than one, in fact.  People who know where they want to go and will do anything to get there.  They’re loyal only to themselves.  They’re playing a game.  With people instead of cards.  And everyone knows if you want to win at cards you’ve got to see the future, you’ve got to plan for contingencies, you’ve got to be a couple of steps ahead of everybody else.  Playing it close to the vest while you execute your moves in secret, when no one is watching.

I wasn’t brought up that way.

I’d love to tell you this edition of "Mildred Pierce" demands your time.  But that’s just the problem, time.  Given so much time, Todd Haynes stretches the story out at such a languorous pace that it saps out the life.  And believe me, it’s all about life. Marriage, divorce, opportunities, sacrifice…  And there’s no manual, only a code.  Which most of us get from our parents. But the goal is to do them one better, which leaves us in uncharted territory, how do we make our decisions?

Great art resonates.  And that’s what’s wrong with entertainment today, it doesn’t.

Great art is all about feel.  Capturing lightning in a bottle.  It’s not about perfection, trying to satiate an audience, but getting it right for yourself.  And when you do, the whole world resonates.

Once upon a time, movies were about story.

Once upon a time, music was about music.

But today it’s not.  Today it’s about money.  What does it take to make it?  When Veda accuses her agent of making a deal in his own interest, it proved to me that nothing’s changed.  If you think the label and the agent, even your manager, is on your side, you’ve got another thing coming.  We live in an era of self-interest.  How am I going to get as rich as Lloyd Blankfein if I worry about you?

And the bankers are worse than the music executives.  They bankrupt people and shrug their shoulders, saying it’s just business.  Isn’t that what’s wrong with America, it’s just business?

Business gets to trump the individual in politics.  Not only in lobbying power, but in speech and cash according to the Supreme Court.  Business has no compassion, it’s all about the bottom line.

Trust.  Friends.  Family.  They’re the core of our society.  Otherwise you’re alone, a renegade with money, but little else.

But in today’s world the media tells us money can buy not only love, but happiness.

But this is untrue.

I dedicated five hours of my life to this iteration of "Mildred Pierce".  But it was worth it.  For the final scenes.  Of betrayal and connection.

To hell with the corporations.  To hell with the self-dealing executives.  We’ve got each other.  And those who recognize this are truly on the road to wealth and happiness.