Imitation Of Life

Year: 1959

Grade: B+

Country: USA

Director: Sirk

Review

sirk reminds me a bit of capra in that his films, on paper, seem corny or saccharine. however when you watch the film, the performances, the writing, and the direction make for a great film that realizes its potential. this one, like all that heaven allows, employs the use of reflections, color and mise en scene to demonstrate the repressed circumstances in which the characters live. for example, he’ll show a character through the dividers of a window or a fence, to heighten the sense of isolation.

in all that heaven allows, sirk shows us the dark underbelly of class relations in american society. here, he tackles the complicated issues of race and mother/daughter relationships. his characters are given a depth and complexity that, when coupled with the artistry, make for an enjoyable and realistic (though heightened) movie watching experience. what starts as an over-done and laughable movie becomes deeply moving by the end. at that point the laughs in the early part of the film are revealed as tongue-in-cheek and purposeful. juanita moore is fantastic.

Watched in theater