Imitation Of Life (1959)

In 1947, a white mother (Lana Turner) and a black mother (Juanita Moore) join forces to raise their daughters and improve their lot in life. But the white mother sacrifices her daughter on the altar of ambition as she focuses on her rising career and leaves her daughter (Sandra Dee) to be raised by the other woman. But unlike her mother, the black daughter (Susan Kohner) refuses to accept her place in life in a racist society. Since she's fair skinned, she passes for white. Based on the novel by Fannie Hurst and directed by Douglas Sirk. One of the seminal films of the 1950s and a searing examination of both racism and mother "love". I could write paragraphs (and have) about the layers and complexities of Sirk's masterpiece but won't. Dismissed in 1959 as a glossy "woman's picture", it has more sting than other films on the subject (like Kramer's dreadful DEFIANT ONES) of the era. With its lavish trimmings (sets, costumes), Russell Metty's lush cinematography and Frank Skinner's glossy score, people tend to not look beyond the surface. Everything about it is perfect. Even Lana Turner. Her artificiality as an actress can often mar a film but when used appropriately as here where it fits her character (twice in the film she's told to "stop acting!"), the results are splendid. But if the film belongs to anyone, it's Moore and Kohner. If Moore's final goodbye to her daughter doesn't have you in tears, check your pulse! With John Gavin, Dan O'Herlihy, Troy Donahue, Robert Alda, Ann Robinson and Bess Flowers (who actually has lines!).