Review of Imitation of Life (1959) by Rick C — 14 Oct 2006

Finely mounted Douglas Sirk social drama in which Lana Turner rises from poverty-line widow to Broadway superstar. Turner is very good as the lead in the first half, underplaying the character's driving ambition rather sublimely.

However the film shifts focus in the second half and Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner take over as the troubled mother and daughter. Moore delivers a performance of grace and dignity as a truly Christian human.

Disappointingly Susan Kohner's character is drawn far too broad for the complex troubles and issues facing her. Their final scene together however is still a heart-wrencher. The racial issues are more often than not masterfully handled by Sirk using juxtaposition and symbolism being characters, their thought and lives.

Without being too preachy (and never forgetting to entertain) Sirk's film plants seeds for thought and remains remarkably ambiguous enough for discussion.