Imitation of Life 1959

Bosley Crowther, New York Times: This modernized remake of Miss Hurst's frankly lachrymose tale is much the same as its soggy predecessor. It is the most shameless tear-jerker in a couple of years. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: Douglas Sirk's 1959 film was the biggest grosser in Universal's history until the release of Airport, yet it's also one of the most intellectually demanding films ever made in Hollywood. Read more

Richard Brody, New Yorker: Sirk unleashed a melodramatic torrent of rage at the corrupt core of American life-the unholy trinity of racism, commercialism, and puritanism. Read more

TIME Magazine: 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. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: Forget those who decry the '50s Hollywood melodrama; it is through the conventions of that hyper-emotional genre that Sirk is able to make such a devastatingly embittered and pessimistic movie. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: While this device lends more scope, it also results in the overdone busy actress/neglected daughter conflict. Read more

Charles Taylor, Village Voice: The toughest-minded, most irresolvable movie ever made about race in this country. Read more