Sunday, December 09, 2007

Thank God for Technology!



As many of you know I'm a huge movie buff. Well, while growing up I remember one film in particular that would always play during the Christmas Holidays - Imitation of Life starring Lana Turner, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda, Juanita More and a cameo appearance by the great Mahalia Jackson. When people ask me what is my favorite movie of all time my answer is always the same, it's Imitation of Life.

Now, if you're not a movie buff or if you were born after 1980 you may not be familiar with this brilliant piece of cinema. It was released in 1959 and like the film "Guess who's coming to Dinner" it was light-years ahead of its time. And through the wonders of technology I found a copy on DVD - fully restored and remastered. I'm in movie Heaven!

This film deals with the "real" issues of the human experience including the passion and pursuit of a dream, the price of success, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, relationships, race in America before the civil rights era, the entertainment industry, maternal bounds, forgiveness, the love of a Mother, childhood love, love and love affairs, self-identity, self-hatred, racism, the bond between women, the roles of men and women in relationships, homelessness, compassion, empathy, death and the loss of a parent, and on and on and on.

After seeing this film at least 50 times I never get tired of it and I cry every time I see it. For this film not to touch your heart it would have to be made of stone. I am telling you that this film will make the hardest of hearts as soft as cotton.

If you've never seen it before do yourself a favor and order a copy here and take a moment to view what is truly a brilliant piece of work. Both Juanita Moore (who plays Annie) and Susan Kohner (who plays her daughter Sarah Jane) were both nominated for Academy Awards for "Best Supporting Actress" for their performances. And, if I'm not mistaken their nominations were the very first for an African-American woman. Thank God for technology!

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