Title: 4 people found this helpful. I have much enjoyed IMITATION OF LIFE, the '59 Lana Turner version by Douglas Sirk. Lora, meanwhile, virtually ignores her own daughter in a single-minded quest for stardom. Living a lie is a poor substitute for living the truth - sometimes it takes the harsh realties of life to help us discover who we truly are. This is a MUST see movie. Imitation of Life isn't always subtle, but even as it tugs at the heartstrings, this socially conscious melodrama effectively explores Jim Crow-era racial taboos. The 1959 perspective allowed me to see a more in-depth aspect of the characters that I missed in the early film. Imitation of Life is drunk on the lies and gross assumptions of its characters and the way they feed off of deceptive surfaces. While its narrative reveals how problematic the representation and depiction of people of color was in 1934, this film Drama, Certificate: Passed At a remote South American trading port, the manager of an air freight company is forced to risk his pilots' lives in order to win an important contract. In 1910, a wayward mother re-visits the family she deserted. Although I enjoyed both and have viewed them many times. From the elegant title sequence (could've been for an early Bond or an Audrey Hepburn vehicle) to the glorious funeral procession at the end - which was remarkably grand given that Annie was 'just a maid'. After Lora and Annie talk for a bit, we find that Lora is having a hard time juggling her career with having a young child, and that Annie and her daughter are newly arrived in town and do not have a place to stay, so after Annie asks to work for Lora in exchange for room and board, they strike up a close friendship, as do their daughters. The one problem with the film is that Annie seems to be languishing and on the point of death in many later scenes, and I thought there might be trouble ahead with boyfriend and Susie. "Imitation of Life" is outwardly a very pretty film with gorgeous coloring, beautiful actors and costumes to die for. 5.0 out of 5 stars Dvd. With storylines tackling racism, romance, family, success and tragedy, Imitation of Life is a powerful story that still resonates with audiences today. While Sarah Jane envies Lora and Susie's looks, money and ultimately, color, it quickly becomes clear that their problems are substantial. (And yes, personally I was a big mess; I had to blow my nose about three times.) The manufacturers accept, except, expect our audience is a former advocate of latin, german, or spanish. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Very disappointed was in a foreign language, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2018, Very disappointied with this dvd when it arrived I couldn’t wait to watch it on reading the back of the dvd I found it to be in a foreign language!!! I wish everyone could see this movie. A struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fair-skinned daughter; the two women start a successful business, but face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way. An aspiring white actress takes in an African-American widow whose mixed-race … Editorial Reviews. “We didn’t know,” says a schoolteacher to Annie when she comes looking for her daughter in the woman’s classroom. I would love to have an in depth discussion about this book and each film adaptation and how the experience of these characters were affected by the construct of the time period and gender and racial bias. The film gets four stars for the title alone. Written by How these characters defined self-esteem and how that affected their decisions is a lesson learned. In regard to Annie and Sarah Jane, there is nothing that the kind-hearted, completely selfless Annie can do to appease her daughter, a realization that is so hurtful that it makes her physically sick.The great Douglas Sirk weaves all of these conflicts masterfully. Select the department you want to search in. Artistic license, and it suits the splendor of the movie. Susanna "Susan" Kohner (born November 11, 1936) is an American former actress who worked in film and television. It was a story of courage, unconditional love, unrequited love, consequences , and of course identity. I was moved emotional and intellectually . Take a look ahead at some of our most anticipated superhero movies coming in 2021 and beyond. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Warren William, and Rochelle Hudson, and features Louise Beavers and Fredi Washington. Imitation of Life is without question one of my all-time favorite movies. Only Annie (Juanita Moore), Sarah Jane's black mother and Lora's maid/friend, lives a real life by her loving devotion to the other three. BIG PRICE, for old movie? While there are Douglas Sirk movies that I really like for their camp value ("Magnificent Obsession" immediately comes to mind), "Imitation of Life" is so much more. Movies about Race and the need to renounce one's cultural identity don't come much better than this movie. She is best known for her role as Sarah Jane in Imitation of Life (1959), for which she was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe award. Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015. My mother showed it to me when I was a tween and it marked the beginning of my love of old movies--particularly the black and white ones from the 40s & 50s. An aspiring actress befriends a black widow, but trouble arises when the latter is rejected by her daughter, who tries to pass for white. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 11, 2020. 39 of 55 people found this review helpful. Looking for more? Video availability outside of United States varies. Imitation of Life Imitation of Life (1959) Plot. He had the waterworks big time at the end of this movie, much to my surprise. She is continually scheming and running away in order to rid herself of her true heritage, which ends up literally breaking her mother's heart. The movie was originally made in 1934 with a remake in 1959. Lora's daughter Susie can play with Annie's daughter Sarah-Jane. Report abuse. Sarah Jane, however, a very light-skinned girl who is able to pass as white, cannot get past her hatred of her own race, and her embarrassment of her mother's color and position. Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019. An aspiring white actress takes in an African-American widow whose mixed-race daughter is desperate to be seen as white. Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020. Available on. Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. I would recommend this film. I enjoyed this portrayal more than the original adaptation, Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016. My mother showed it to me when I was a tween and it marked the beginning of my love of old movies--particularly the black and white ones from the 40s & 50s. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. One day when she loses her young daughter Susie at the beach, and with the help of a photographer she encounters, Steve Archer (Gavin) she finds her with Annie Johnson (Moore), an African-American woman, and her own young daughter Sarah Jane. Although the role of Annie is less integral to Laura's success in business (the concept changed from pancake batter business they started together) to a more servant role as her maid, the Annie character is presented less subserviently heee. alfiehitchie, The conflict between mothers and daughters has long been a Hollywood plot device. Lora (Lana Turner) persues fame and fortune as an actress whilst neglecting the ones she really loves; Sarah Jane (Susan Kohler) passes as white not to gain better social rights but to persue false ideals of "white beauty"; and Lora's daughter Suzy (Sandra Dee) nurses a hopeless crush on her mother's boyfriend, Steve (John Gavin). As Lora becomes rich and successful there is the added complication that her boyfriend, who she strings along while in between rushing off to make new films, becomes ever closer to daughter Susie, now growing up fast. Imitation of Life became Universal's biggest moneymaker to date, and a 1995 poll by the New York Daily News still ranked it as one of the top-ten all-time favorite films. When this veneer is peeled back, however, the true nature of the film is revealed, and its conflicts are painfully apparent. There are multiple ways to interpret the story and characters. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. The problem being, that Sarah-Jane passes as white but Annie is black. Imitation of Life is the sort of book that invites discussion. They both make the best of their situations and help each other through decades of life. And yes, for modern readers, there’s an uncomfortable undercurrent of racism. Action, Certificate: Passed See the fabulous presenters and gracious winners at this year's Oscars. The one has become my favorite. I am happy to say that although my daughter and son did not have what they needed as children, they have become encouraging and loving parents to their own children. I've personally seen him cry once at a movie, and that was at "Return of the King", where everyone in the theater was honking. When Susie returns home from a break at school, it is in her mother's absence that she latches on to Steve, (newly reunited with the family after ten years) and ultimately falls in love with him. She told me it is one of the best movies she has ever seen. My boyfriend, who will probably kill me after he reads this, very rarely cries at films. The film spans about ten years, and during those ten years Lora becomes a very successful Broadway actress, and Susie is sent away to an exclusive boarding school. Even after 5 times, I still cry my heart out! It is a glimpse at the past and an invitation to think about the present and future. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Here's a warning about the film, however – chances are, you'll get upset. I am older now and view the films with a new point of view. The author of numerous bestselling novels, a masterful short story writer, and an outspoken social activist, Fannie Hurst was a major celebrity in the first half of the twentieth century. Unfortunately the devotion is rejected by Sarah Jane. While they had a close relationship when Susie was six, with the advent of Lora's career, the love Lora had for Susie did not diminish, but her attention and time for her did. "Imitation of Life" has both beauty and substance. On the Russian front in 1944 German Private Ernst Graeber receives a leave and visits his family in Germany but Germany isn't the same country he left behind. It's very moving though, especially the scenes where Sarah-Jane rejects her mother - whoever said it was a three-hanky movie was right. After watching the movie, I understand. Aquarius Theater - 6230 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. “Imitation of Life” is arguably his highest masterpiece. In trying to do so by seeking to pass as white, she can't but deny her mother, which is the tragedy at the heart of the movie. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. It was Sirk's final Hollywood film and dealt with issues of race, class and gender. A time when bigotry and racism was actually acceptable. Imitation of Life is the 8th song of R.E.M’s album Reveal, and it’s the most popular song of the album. Lana Turner gives a good performance as a then out of work actress (a mother herself,) who takes in the Black lady and her daughter and brought them along as she becomes a successful actress and movie star. Neurotic and obnoxious, Sarah Jane doesn't like being Black; since she's light-skinned (her father was practically white), she spends the rest of the film trying to pass as white, much to her mother's heartache and shame. The interaction between the daughters and mothers is complicated by the limitations of the times as it relates to being a woman and the differences in racial experience. If you’re a fan of soap operas you’ll want to check this one out. It is a multi-layered film wrapped up in an exquisite little package, which is often cast away as fluff, but is really so much more. When she meets Annie (played by Juanita Moore), who comes to work as her housekeeper, it seems a perfect arrangement. I enjoyed this portrayal more than the original adaptation. Alcoholic playboy Kyle Hadley marries the woman secretly loved by his poor but hard-working best friend, who in turn is pursued by Kyle's nymphomaniac sister. My mother had me watch this movie back in the 1060’s as a child, I never forgot this movie, as she wanted me to learn from it. Was this review helpful to you? Imitation of Life is the second film adaptation of Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same name; the first, directed by John M. Stahl, was released in 1934. Sundance Review: Tessa Thompson & Ruth Negga In Rebecca Hall’s ‘Passing’, Julie Delpy's teen obsessions: 'Nastassja Kinski was my girl crush', Women's Day: Oscar-Nominated Mother-and-Daughter Roles, Most Prolific Actress Oscar Has Ever Seen. With Lana Turner, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner. Meanwhile, Sarah Jane is trying to make her way in the world, socially and career-wise, but her idealistic, hard-headed, clingy … Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Neurotic and obnoxious, Sarah Jane doesn't like being Black; since she's light-skinned (her father was practically white), she spends the rest of the film trying to pass as white, much to her mother's heartache and shame. Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. The great director Douglas Sirk's Imitation of Life, a spectacular, sprawling melodrama, follows a widowed aspiring actress (Lana Turner) and a homeless single mother (Juanita Moore) who raise their daughters together.While the actress's rise to Broadway stardom at the cost of true love gives the first half of the film a romantic arc, the relationship between the two … With Lana Turner, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner. No film was more important to me as a ‘colored’ child growing up in West Virginia; the funeral scene has to move even the most stoic viewer to tears. Imitation of Life is without question one of my all-time favorite movies. An unscrupulous movie producer uses an actress, a director and a writer to achieve success. Description. "Imitation of Life", Douglas Sirk's 1959 film starring Lana Turner and Juanita Moore, squarely fits into that last category.Lora Meredith (Turner) is a young widow, a single parent and struggling actress. The racial drama is very poignant and includes threads like the sexualization of the 'exotic' daughter Sarah Jane as a matter of course and the 'natural' self-effacement of her mother Annie, who never, ever wants or demands anything for herself. "Imitation of Life" does not stray from his other films in terms of formula: We have a conflict that is socially relevant and somewhat inflammatory, beautiful actors and actresses playing the part, rich, lush colors throughout the entire production and loads of expensive jewelry and costumes. Overview System Requirements Related. Tear jerker indeed, this is the original film from 1934, also bought the 1959 later version Imitation Of Life - Lana Turner, John Gavin [1959] All Region DVD. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Just when you're about to laugh at a line or a gesture that seems really over the top, Sirk beats you to it. This movie had me crying so deeply and helped me to see that there is nothing more important than nurturing and loving our children and giving them what no other person can. not the best value. The performances by the actors are all good, particularly the Oscar-nominated performances of Moore and Kohner. A Movie That Demonstrates While Things Have Changed, Nothing Has Changed When It Comes to Race in America, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2018. Each woman has an intolerable daughter. When Lora looks directly at the camera, puts a stoic look on her face and says in her best Joan Crawford imitation, "Then I'll give him up", Susie immediately says grimly, "Oh mother, don't act for me." Whilst in the original film, the "imitation of life" was just a reference to Peola's (in this film, Sarah Jane) desire to pass for white, in this film, three out of the four main characters have been living their own imitations of life. Each woman has an intolerable daughter. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Which I would never have brought this was not made clear in the description when I brought this, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2012. One is white the other is black. As for the movie, a drama classic. The best example of this is when Lora and Susie are having a fight over the fact that Susie has fallen in love with Steve, after Lora announces their intention to marry. The Imitation of Life is one of the most powerful cinematic displays of racial passing in movie history. Travelling or based outside United States? Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2019. Imitation of Life is still a potent onion. This self-effacement keeps her and her daughter relatively safe in a racist world, but Sarah Jane is acutely aware of the humiliation and restrictions, and is determined from an early age to escape the horror of Annie's fate. Use the HTML below. Certificate: Passed Meanwhile, Annie is still her loyal right-hand, having decided to continue working for Lora, even though she has been putting the money that she has earned away. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2010. Directed by Douglas Sirk. The lives of a widow and her housekeeper are united first in mutual need, then success and ultimately, in heartache in this Academy Award-nominated Best Picture. A peaceful New England town hides secrets and scandals. This movie came out and was set in 1959. The original theatrical release print of Imitation of Life featured different title cards, including a title card containing a brief prologue, which read: "Atlantic City, in 1919, was not just a boardwalk, rolling-chairs and expensive hotels where bridal couples spent their honeymoons. And even afterward, you're not likely to forget this story. A rich playboy whose recklessness inadvertently causes the death of a prominent doctor tries to make amends to his widow, and falls for her in the process. Showing all 6 items Jump to: ... An old flame, Steve Archer, has reappeared in her life, and daughter Susie is smitten with him. Story of a friendship between an eccentric journalist and a daredevil barnstorming pilot. The pain and “Imitation of Life” became one of the biggest hits in Universal's history. View production, box office, & company info. And rather than strengthens the learning and for essay of imitation life other uses. This VHS arrived way ahead of schedule and was in very good condition. The screenplay by William Hurlbut, based on Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same name, was augmented by eight additional uncredited writers, including Preston Sturges and Finley Peter Dunne. The movie exposes the complicated relationship between mothers raising girls into women and how each daughter finds the other's mother a better parent for different reasons. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. "In my mind I guess I was leaving Hollywood, yes, even before I made the pic-ture," he said. Passing, a commonly used term especially in the African American community, “occurs when a member of one racial category assumes the ethnicity of another (Alkon, 2012)”. struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today. May 20, 2011 | Full Review… The movie it's self was great, one of my favourites, but very much over priced,(even though i upped the delivery, I'm not sure I'll be buying more. Which ethnicity is the actress who plays the adult Sarah Jane? When a toy manufacturer feels ignored and unappreciated by his wife and children, he begins to rekindle a past love when a former employee comes back into his life. “Imitation of Life” (John M. Stahl, 1934), based on Fannie Hurst’s ac-claimed novel, was a defining moment in the history of women in film and a watershed moment for African-American casting in Hollywood. When passed before the moviegoer's eyes, it may force theater owners to install aisle scuppers to drain off the tears. I purchased another copy, just finished watching it again. Being a child from a mixed marriage, this taught me a lot. All performers are great including headliners Lana Turner and John Gavin, but the real stars of this movie are Juanita Moore and Susan Koehner. An upper-class widow falls in love with a much younger, down-to-earth nurseryman, much to the disapproval of her children and criticism of her country club peers. Imitation of Life is a 1959 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk, produced by Ross Hunter and released by Universal International. Imitation of Life (1959) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Sirk was bombarded with offers, but he retired instead. It is the story of two strong women trying to raise their famililes. Kathleen. Imitation of Life. The Imitation of Life: 2-Movie Special Edition includes both versions of the film: the original 1934 Best Picture nominee starring Claudette Colbert and the 1959 masterpiece starring Lana Turner. Imitation of Life. Imitation of Life (1959) (4,262) IMDb 7.9 2 h 5 min 1959 X-Ray 16+ Living a lie is a poor substitute for living the truth - sometimes it takes the harsh realties of life to help us discover who we truly are. Rent $3.99. Lora, meanwhile, virtually ignores her own daughter in a single-minded quest for stardom. Watch it and judge for yourself, but this judge gives it a solid 8/10.--Shelly. Demonstrates America's laws of Segregation and racist attitudes that created divisions between a black woman and her light-skinned daughter who was ashamed of her mother, her ethnic identity and pretended to be a 'White' as it was easier to do that, than admit she was the product of an interracial relation between her black mother and a white man. However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst. Being a white woman having bi-racial children, I wondered about my daughters fascination with this movie. Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2019. It hit the number 83 in the Billboard Hot 100 list. Watching this movie will make you a better human being, Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2019. Sirk, often marginalized as a "fluff piece" director due to the strong melodramatic content of his films, is at his very best with this film. I Cry Like the First Time Every Time I Watch This Movie, Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2018. However, Annie's little girl Sarah Jane is by far the worst. If you haven't seen it, please do...and don't forget the tissues. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Imitation grabs you by the heart and doesn't let up until the ending credits roll. 124 8 introducing critical thinking and forms the basis of the fire sector millionaires) and the succession of momentary actions. Check out the full list of winners. I had my now grown daughters watch this when they were teens. Adventure. (1959). HoloLens PC Mobile device Xbox 360 Trailer. Lora and Steve are clearly meant to be together, but her career repeatedly gets in the way until Steve is no longer able to sit by idly, waiting for her while realizing that he is always going to be low on her priority list. Based on the eponymous novel by Fannie Hurst, it weaves several narratives together. Lane Turner plays widowed Lora who is just starting out as an actress. "I had had enough." Sometimes it is done badly ("Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood"), sometimes it can be campy (the immortal shriek fest "Mommie Dearest") and sometimes a film does it really well ("Mildred Pierce"). There are multiple ways to interpret the story and characters. Sign in to see videos available to you. Directed by Douglas Sirk. “Although it’s a ‘white’ novel, Imitation of Life is certainly a part of the African American canon. Aspiring actress Lora Meredith meets Annie Johnson, a homeless Black woman at Coney Island, and soon they share a tiny apartment. Read more. Several of their scenes near the end of the movie had me choked up and that never happens! The movie mirrors much of my/our life...me putting other people and things before my relationship with my children. And things before my relationship with my children instead, our system considers things like recent... 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