Review of Imitation of Life (1959) by Joseph S — 09 Feb 2009

One of the few classic, "subversive" films that still retains some of its power and relevance. I could give you stories, of Sarah Jane & Annie-esque episodes in my own family and personal life, but this aint Oprah, so no dice.

I can say the funeral scene stung. And that beyond racism, the prime theme of this that I think gets ignored is envy. Sussie envies Annie's love for her daughter which she doesnt have, and Steves love for her mother, which is rebuffed for her career, just as hers is. Sarah Jane is envious of Sussie who gets all manner of gifts a movie stars daughter would get, with the added bonus that she will go on to have all of things that she will never get. Though to stand next to each other the two could be sisters.

Sarah is a very light skinned black girl, can "pass", and is desperate to be white. Her mother is the nanny/maid/servant to the at first struggling then later glamerous movie star, who never tells her daughter to love herself, but to not "lie" about what she isnt. In one crucial scene something like 10 years into their living together, actress Laura says "I didnt know you had any freinds", to which Annie replies, "You never asked Miss. Laura". Even on her death bed she still calls her "Miss" Laura, Sarah Jane's self hatred is miss guided, but her disgust with her mother and Laura,who expects her to make the best of her lot in life, is not without reason. Her white and first boyfreind, is more than a little upset, when he finds out about her family tree, and to those who may think, that scenes plays out in a predictable fashion, its one of those things thats sad, but true. Certainly then and not shockingly now.

Thats not to say that Laura's tears at Annie's funeral arent genuine. Both women do whatever they can, to give their daughters the best lives possible, and the girls in turn envy each other, each for what the other doesnt have. One emotional security, the other freedom, financial security, and dignity. No one gets a real life, or real expression, til its too late, because they are busy immitating what they think is best. Where the title comes from, I reckon.

I expected a really dull, melodramatic, message movie, and it was to a degree, but its still relevant today, and more empathetic, and complex than modern films about "tolerance" like "Crash"(not the Cronenberg one with the freaky sex, the other one). This isnt about tolerance or acceptance, its about envy and bitterness, I dont know if anything is really resolved, at the end, but everything is at least laid out on the table.

I can see why people dig Sirk.