Imitation of Life
1959, Drama, 2h 5m
27 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsWhat to know
Douglas Sirk enriches this lush remake of Imitation of Life with racial commentary and a sharp edge, yielding a challenging melodrama with the power to devastate. Read critic reviews
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Imitation of Life Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Lora Meredith
Steve Archer
Susie, age 16
David Edwards
Sarah Jane, age 18
Allen Loomis
News & Interviews for Imitation of Life
Critic Reviews for Imitation of Life
All Critics (27) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (5)
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This edition of Imitation of Life should do as much for Miss Kohner as did the original movie for Miss Colbert in 1934.
June 22, 2020 | Full Review… -
Sirk unleashed a melodramatic torrent of rage at the corrupt core of American life-the unholy trinity of racism, commercialism, and puritanism.
November 16, 2015 | Full Review… -
The toughest-minded, most irresolvable movie ever made about race in this country.
March 31, 2015 | Full Review… -
Imitation of Life is still a potent onion. When passed before the moviegoer's eyes, it may force theater owners to install aisle scuppers to drain off the tears.
May 20, 2011 | Full Review… -
A consummate display of populist weepie-making.
May 20, 2011 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
While this device lends more scope, it also results in the overdone busy actress/neglected daughter conflict.
March 19, 2009 | Full Review…
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This edition of Imitation of Life should do as much for Miss Kohner as did the original movie for Miss Colbert in 1934.
June 22, 2020 | Full Review… -
Sirk unleashed a melodramatic torrent of rage at the corrupt core of American life-the unholy trinity of racism, commercialism, and puritanism.
November 16, 2015 | Full Review… -
The toughest-minded, most irresolvable movie ever made about race in this country.
March 31, 2015 | Full Review… -
Imitation of Life is still a potent onion. When passed before the moviegoer's eyes, it may force theater owners to install aisle scuppers to drain off the tears.
May 20, 2011 | Full Review… -
This type of film fare may have been entertaining a quarter of a century ago. but the re-hash in fancy dress is just a lot of tripe.
December 6, 2019 | Full Review… -
You'll be horrified at how this hokum manipulates you, but the best strategy is to just surrender and enjoy it.
May 20, 2011 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Imitation of Life
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Feb 20, 2021Melodrama masterpiece by movie making maven Douglas Sirk.Aldo G Super Reviewer
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Apr 23, 2016A lavish, touching melodrama that remains always focused and held together even when trying to flesh out the personal conflicts of so many characters - which it does in a way that is quite realistic and sincere despite how in the end Sirk tries way too hard to force us into tears.Carlos M Super Reviewer
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Mar 29, 2011The story begins in post WWII NYC when Lana Turner (in the role of a struggling actress) hires a maid Annie (Juanita Moore) to work for and live with Turner and her then 7 year old daughter (same age as the maid's little girl). Times are tough at first, but the foursome gets on fine. Only little Sarah Jane (the maid's daughter) has constant trouble accepting her color and her "African American" mother whom she blames for preventing her from trying to pass off as white. Years pass, the family gains a good fortune and the girls grow up to young women, but life is not just constant bliss: the racial self-hatred of Sarah Jane (now played by Susan Kohner) is seriously affecting her life and self-image and she never misses the opportunity to degrade and humiliate her Mom for just being a maid while the teenaged Susie (Sandra Dee) develops feelings for Steve Archer (John Gavin), the potential fiancé of Lora which predictably leads to trouble. Ostensibly Lana Turner portrays the main character. Hers is the familiar, rags-to-riches tale, made even more glamorous by its show business context. But by the end of the film, her story is secondary. What makes this movie fascinating are the scenes between long suffering Annie and her daughter Sarah Jane. This is definitely a tear jerker so be sure to have a box of tissues for the film's conclusion.Deb S Super Reviewer
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Feb 20, 2011Douglas Sirk's classic weepy about our innate tendency to inadvertantly drive away the ones we love the most. Lana Turner and Juanita Moore give particularly outstanding performances.Bob O Super Reviewer
Imitation of Life Quotes
| Lora Meredith: | I'm going up and up and up. And no one's going to pull me down. (ambitious actress telling husband she's no housewife) |
| Lora Meredith: | I'm going up and up and up. And no one's going to pull me down. [ambitious actress telling husband she's no housewife] |
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