For starters, Mr. Bun Bun loves circa 1940's-1950's Hollywood for many reasons. Many of those reasons are why I thoroughly enjoyed "All That Heaven Allows". If you like the classical Hollywood star system, circa 1950s fashion, over-the-top melodrama, and seeing closeted homosexuals on the big screen, then you've hit the jackpot! If not, well..."The Matrix" is out on DVD.
Oh my, where to start.
"All That Heaven Allows" struck me as the stereotypical 1950's "family melodrama", or at least what one might imagine a "stereotypical 1950's 'family melodrama'" would be like. Chock full of stock characters, lots of tears and emotionally wrought moments, social commentary, and stone-age psychobabble (Oedipus complex, anyone?). The camera and plot devices were so over-the-top -- about as subtle as being slapped in the face by a millionaire heiress for being a cad -- that I laughed more than a few times with my friend as I watched this film.
This film wasn't meant to be a comedy, but by today's standards, many scenes, lines, and shots in the film are HILARIOUS. That's not to say that this is a poorly made film. On the contrary. (If you care about such things) you can appreciate the care and attention put into each shot. There are many shots in the film that were carefully (or not so carefully) constructed to act as 'photographs'. In fact, if you you could even say that this film is hilarious _because_ it is an extreme example of classical Hollywood.
Even though the film was released in 1955, which is technically after the demise of the 'studio system' (where 5 major studios controlled every aspect of movie making and distribution, 'owned' their own stars like Fred Astaire and Betty Grable, owned chains of movie theaters, and dominated the world market), it's still follows much of the same techniques, subject matter, etc. as Hollywood movies made before them.
The film is also socially motivated and 'progressive', even by today's standards. I was certain that this was going to be a classic 'doomed romance' and I was very surprised when -- well, watch the film for yourself and find out. Like many movies that came out around this time, "All That Heaven Allows" reflects (an anxiety about) changing society. The daughter characters seems like a backlash against feminism which was just starting to seep into the public consciousness at the time -- she's a condescending pseudo-intellectual who uses big words and seems "frigid" for most of the film but turns out to be a hypocrite who doesn't really know much about life. Ouch. There's also a healthy dose of "psychology" inserted into the film and even a mention about "female troubles".
"All That Heaven Allows" follows classical Hollywood conventions, with the choice of the actors (Agnes Moorehead from "Citizen Kane" and more widely known as the mother on "Bewitched"), the continuous narrative format (you follow the film clearly from point A to point Z with no jumping around), the costumes, hair, and make-up (lovely, that 1950s look), romantic plot, camera usage, and acting style. In fact, I watched this film for an introduction to film course.
BUT, it gives "classic" a twist. C'mon a movie about an older woman and a younger man that get together and STAY together. Where neither of them dies or uses the other to kill their spouse? HA! I'd like to see Hollywood TODAY come up with something like that. There are a lot of movies about older men and girls 1/3 their age, but those don't count.
Mucho manly Rock Hudson plays the ruggedly individualist love interest of the older, socially upscale widow (gasp). He is her gardener and she gazes at him a little too intently (gasp) after she invites him to eat with her (gasp)! Following 1950s expectations, he is VERY manly. He lives in a log cabin, for goodness sake. Knowing that he was in the closet during the filming of the film, made the viewing experience that much more...um... interesting.
I would recommend this film for people who enjoy classical Hollywood, cult movies, melodrama, social history, or are up for something off the beaten path. And watching with a friend would shares similar tastes makes the viewing experience more enjoyable. 4 stars.
A wealthy and attractive New England widow stirs up small town gossip and the wrath of her children when she falls in love with her sexy, much younger...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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