Thursday, November 18, 2021
All That Heaven Allows
- Commentary: Once again, Rock Hudson rises to the challenge of helping Douglas Sirk subtly undermine late 1950's American lives and values. [Are they only American, and only mid-20th century, values? See the the following movie write-up, Ali: Fear East the Soul for an interesting perspective on this question.]
Once again, I haven't yet seen this movie, so I don't have a lot to write about. For an interesting perspective, though, check out the Wikipedia article linked above to Sirk's name. Further, take note that Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, a German remake of this film, was released almost exactly 20 years later.
In addition, it's interesting to note that according to the Wikipedia article linked above about Sirk, movie critics have changed their reactions to his work over time, and, apparently, continue to do so. Regarding Far From Heaven, a 2002 period film written and directed by Todd Haynes, Haynes is unabashed in his recognition of the influence of Sirk's work on him and this particular movie of his.
Update Sometime in early 2022: I have not only seen this movie, I've seen it more than once and will probably watch it again and again. For all its melodrama, it is a film to get lost in for me because it echoes an era I just missed but that, nonetheless, had a huge impact on how my generation made its way in life. This is not a movie I would have enjoyed as a young woman, but, now, I not only appreciate what it was saying and the era in which it was made, I love the lushness of the production and its subtle undermining of all it appears to promote.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jane Wyman Cary Scott Rock Hudson Ron Kirby Agnes Moorehead Sara Warren Conrad Nagel Harvey Virginia Grey Alida Anderson Gloria Talbot Kay Scott David Janssen Freddie Norton William Reynolds Ned Scott Charles Drake Mick Anderson Jacqueline deWit Mona Plash Hayden Rorke Dr. Dan Hennessy Leigh Snowden Jo-Ann Grisby
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1955
Directed by Douglas Sirk.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, Criterion3, douglas-sirk, dramaE, melodramaA, rock-hudson, romance5
