Review of All That Heaven Allows (1955) by Todd S — 22 Sep 2007

"All that Heaven Allows" employs all of the conventions of the â??50s melodrama to turn the prevailing post-war conservatism on its head. Cary Scott (Jane Wyman) is an aging widow that is growing increasingly disenchanted with her gossipy country club social set.

Her children want to set her up with a 60ish bachelor who is completely passionless but a socially acceptable partner. Instead Cary hooks up with her much younger gardener (Rock Hudson), and it is clear that the affair is not merely carnal.

In fact, Sirk even suggests that the relationship is more authentic than Caryâ??s marriage had been. Instead of embracing her new love, however, Cary is ostracized by all of her friends and her own children.

When Cary bows to the pressure of the community and ends the relationship, everyone welcomes her back into the fold. Yet when Caryâ??s son gives her a television set for Christmas ("so you never have to feel alone"), the irony is manifest.

Though the end is disappointing and was obviously imposed by the studio, the heart of this film is one of the most radical indictments of social conformity I have seen.