Imitation of Life

Director: Douglas Sirk
Cast: Lana Turner, Juanita Moore, John Gavin, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner
Genre: Romance/Drama 1959
Running Time: 125 mins.
Rating: ★★★★


An emotion charged story about two widows and their troubled daughters. Lora's search for success causes her to neglect her daughter, while Annie's daughter rejects her culture by trying to pass for white. As the years pass, each of the four women realizes that she has been living out an emotionally fruitless existence.

A heart-wrenchingly beautiful story about the search for identity, where one's home truly lies, the dangers of rebellious lies, and the value of friendship. Wonderfully casted, exquisite costume design, and mind-blowing performances. I swore that the eighteen year old Sarah Jane character was played by Natalie Wood. It wasn't until the ending credits that it was actually played by Susan Kohner. An actress, I had no prior knowledge of, gave one of the most stellar performance in the film! The anger, vulnerability, and self-loathing elements that Kohner brings to Sarah Jane is very relatable. It was ballsy for this film to touch a bit upon racial hatred at the time it was released. In researching this film, I discovered that it was altered from original book and 1934 film version because of the civil rights milestone such as Brown vs. Board of Education and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. As well as, the fact that both Susan Kohner and Juanita Moore received Academy Award nominations for their performances.