Imitation of Life was directed by Douglas Sirk
A very poignant moment at the start, was when Sarah Jane and Lora's daughter (Meredith) fight over a white and black doll. In the end Sarah Jane has the black doll which is chucked on the floor. It reminded me of an episode of the American sitcom The Office where a similar incident happens regarding a black doll. Thinking back to my own childhood, I do not remember many black dolls (or any race other than white) being available which is shocking to think that over 50 years later the topic of dolls in racial terms is still relevant. As children are so impressionable, I think the choice in including this racial issue within the film is genius.
Another poignant shot that I found interesting was the repeated use of reflections around the character Sarah Jane. The first use of this is in a shop window just before Sarah Jane is beaten by her ex boyfriend for concealing her heritage. I found this scene particularly shocking. The next use of refection is used just before Sarah Jane sees her mother for (unknowingly) the last time. Sarah Jane looks in the mirror before being embraced by Annie. Both of these reflections are used before emotional moments for the character; I think this could infer that her reflection torments her because of her heritage and because at that time she was seen to have no place in either communities within society.
Lastly, it is hard to ignore the glamorous costumes that Lora wears once becoming a star, I definitely can believe her wardrobe cost more than $1.078 million. One of my favourites was a white dress with a blue sash; it reminded me of a Grace Kelly's blue dress worn in To Catch a Thief (1955).
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