Imitation of Life

The story of a struggling widow and aspiring actress trying to raise her young daughter, and the black woman she befriends and the two become close as the years pass and their daughters' problems begin to surface. Lana Turner, as Lora Meredith, is radiant and plays the mixture of glamorous star and a mother trying to be the best she can be, but only complicates matters further by her ambition and work. Juanita Moore is heart-breaking as Annie Johnson, a devoted friend and loving mother whose heart is shattered when her frustrated, hurt and rebellious daughter, Sarah Jane (portrayed by the sultry and splendid Susan Kohner) discovers that her light-colored skin makes it easy for her to pass for white. The late, always lovely and perky Sandra Dee plays Lora's daughter Susie, who is longing for her mother's love and attention. And John Gavin as Lora's on-again, off-again suitor Steve Archer gives a strong, gentle and compassionate performance.

The drama is wonderfully and sensitively presented: this was a time when the issue of racial inequality was a very real one, and many black or people of mixed race did pass for white, because they were ashamed of their background and wanted to fit in. Sarah Jane's attempts at this, which leads, among other things, to a relationship with Frankie (Troy Donahue, playing against type, in a brief but riveting scene), who beats her almost to a pulp when he discovers the truth. After that, she is constantly out searching for another way to escape her mother, her race, and herself. She feels inadequate compared to Susie, who appears to have all the advantages, and to Lora, who is successful and surrounded by the beautiful people. Her poor, ill mother is brought to despair, and finally makes the painful decision to let her daughter go. The scene in the hotel room had me weeping. Sarah Jane stares into the mirror, starting softly but repeats into a painful yell, "I'm white. White. WHITE!!!!!" When mother and daughter bid each other that heart-wrenching goodbye it was almost too much to bear. No wonder they were both Oscar-nominated!!!!! Turner is beautiful, and her realization that her daughter is in love with Steve, whom she is romantically involved with and is planning to marry, really throws her for a loop. When she comes to talk it out with Susie, this is when we see the anguish voiced, and we see Sandra Dee really come to life. Anyone who doubts her acting talent should see this movie. The argument starts out with her being angry and resentful, but then it culminates to her pain and sadness over her mother's neglect. (One can't help but compare the scene to Turner's troubled relationship with her own daughter, Cheryl). Susie calls her mother on "playing the martyr" and she confides in her mother that she wants some independence. Tears stream down her equisite, doll-like face.

The climax, with the death of Annie, the grief that follows at her funeral lead by the marvelous Mahalia Jackson, and the poignant, tear-jerking return of Sarah Jane just sums this movie up. It gets me every time. It is now available on DVD, sometimes as a set with the 1934 version. Have fun comparing, but for both, Kleenex is mandatory!!!