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March 07, 2005
All That Heaven Allows on DVD, 3/1/05
Rock Hudson movies are sometimes pretty silly things. Douglas Sirk movies always seem rather silly, yet in their overly melodramatic way, they make some sense. Unfortunately, they don't make Rock Hudson look like much of an actor. This time out, we get the former Mrs. Ronald Reagan playing the part of a woman who falls for her gardener. This is of course beneath her social circle. Her children's shame at this relationship makes her reject Rock, then when she leaves his place at an attempt at a reconciliation, Rock runs off a cliff trying to chase her car. Of course, she ends at his place in the end, pledging her wounded man her love as a deer hangs out just outside the window.
It's so absurdist but so over the top, it doesn't make much sense getting upset over it. Of course, Douglas Sirk's intense camerawork brings Jane Wyman some dignity. This is probably the primary inspiration for Far From Heaven, that homage to these Sirk melodramas. It even takes place in the same time of year and retains that "forbidden love" theme.
Strangely, Rock is a very handsome man, but he always seems awkward, so I never find him attractive. Maybe I just haven't seen the right film yet.
Posted by deaconmf at March 7, 2005 10:15 AM
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