Review of Imitation of Life (1959) by Bill V — 05 Jul 2009

Director Douglas Sirk's final film is classic 1950s melodrama at its best. One line in the film says it all, "What you're after isn't real." This line covers the issues of race, career and relationships. The opening credits are also a bit of a treat about imitation. There is also enough pathology to go around to make this a movie worth seeing if you can handle the genre.

It runs a little long but will hold your attention as Sirk and his great cast engage issues as mundane as crush and infatuation to race and racial self-hatred. You will need to deal with the contrivances and over-acting that go with the melodrama package. This movie could not be made today but still holds much value for viewiing today.