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All That Heaven Allows - Criterion Collection by Douglas Sirk
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DVD detailsActor: Agnes Moorehead, Conrad Nagel, Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Virginia Grey Director: Douglas Sirk Brand: Image Entertainment Cinematographer: Russell Metty Editor: Frank Gross Editor: Fred Baratta Producer: Ross Hunter Writer: Edna L. Lee Writer: Harry Lee Writer: Peg Fenwick DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled) Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen Picture Format: 1.85:1 Running Time: 89 minutes DVD Release Date: 2001-06-19 Audience Rating: Unrated Studio: Criterion
DVD Reviews of All That Heaven Allows - Criterion CollectionDVD Review: John du Prey - Classical Review Summary: 5 StarsSuperb artistic work provides the layers of romance that so imbue this delicate film, that it transcends many romances that fail because of flaws in the story editing, the cinematography, or the soundtrack. Even the art direction in this work appears to be intricately designed and presented within all sets (no exception); these touches of perfection elevate romances to the genteel state of relationships. The intent to refine all levels to an exceptional standard are present in this work.
Now, in principle, a true relationship between an older woman and younger man must allow for mutual attraction, common interests, perhaps some manner of intimacy (that is acceptable to the woman); then she allows him to kiss her, and the stage of set (as in this movie) with beautiful colors, shadows, hues, silohuettes, nuances of interior design, and exterior shots (photographed with the eye of a perfectionist). Subtle transitions in the romance carry us, like doves on the wind, from Prologue to Act I to the unfolding conflict within Act II. A need for resolution to preserve the romance is introduced with expert care. We understand that need; dramatic irony and intent flawlessly merge into Act III.
To be fair, one would have to speak to all the crescendos, decrescendos, diminuendos, and denouements present in this film. These measurements of classical excellence are distinctly at work within the screenplay, set design, art direction, nuances in acting, conflict/resolution beauty, the two minor climaxes and the major climax (subtle enough to watch many times, in one's lifetime). The actress easily creates a heroine, who (in her day) perhaps touched women in a very sensitive way; her thoughtful, intelligent awareness of her commitment to a new man in her life is presented with grace and subtle feminine restraint. All That Heaven Allows harkens us back to a time when films (as a rule) treated women with dignity, respect, and honor.
DVD Review: Magnificent Summary: 5 StarsI rate Magnificent Obsession and All That Heaven Allows the same, holds your attention, you do not want to look away for a second for fear of missing any part of the movie.
DVD Review: I wish Heaven would allow me this! Summary: 5 StarsThis film has always been one of my old favorites, and even though it may seem very old fashioned, and out-dated to some viewers, it is worth a look. I like to see this film as a sort of, time capsule. Living in the world we live in now, it is very hard to imagine that people once lived this way. I personally would never make major decisions of my life based on what my friends or neighbors thought. To think that it was once seriously frowned upon to date someone who was younger or older than yourself is kind of funny because that seems to be the standard now. This is one of the things I find so interesting about this film, the way it depicts how much our standards of morality have changed over the years.
Many people believe that the 1950s were the most idealistic times in American culture, post WWII and pre-JFK assassination. This film does a splendid job of capturing some of the ideals of that time, surrounded by a beautiful love story. While watching this film again recently, it dawned on me that no one loves like this anymore. No one longs. You seldom ever see that expressed in movies today. The exquisite pain of longing for someone; a love that waits, is steady, and true. How I miss films like this, where the two lovers embrace in a passionate kiss and the camera pans away to give them privacy and to leave it up to our imaginations as to what happens next.
If you enjoy sweet, tender romances with, dare I say,.......a happy ending, then you will love this film.
My only complaint at all is that the dvd itself is priced rather high, but, for true fans of this film, it is worth it. I feel lucky to have found it on dvd at all.
DVD Review: All That Heaven Allows Summary: 5 StarsThis is a movie that I love. It is a very good movie for the Christmas season.It shows that you can't put off your life for your children all the time. You need to make them understand that they will be leaving home at some time and you will be alone. You will need someone by your side and to keep you company after they leave home.Children can be selfish until they get with their friends, then they forget mother.
I saw the movie on tv some years ago but they don't show it anymore.
Thanks for having this movie.
Lois
DVD Review: Why is it so expensive? Summary: 5 StarsEverywhere I looked this classic movie is almost 40 dollars i finally ordered the vhs just to have this in my classic movie collection . I love this movie the only problem I had was The guy Hudson played wanted Carrie to give up everything and he give up nothing,very selfish in my opinion, Did anyone notice the party scene is almost like the scene in the move My Reputation with Barbara Stanwyck and George Brent
Description of All That Heaven Allows - Criterion CollectionJane Wyman is a repressed wealthy widow and Rock Hudson is the hunky Thoreau-following gardener who loves her in Douglas Sirk's heartbreakingly beautiful indictment of 1950s small-town America. Sirk utilizes expressionist colors, reflective surfaces, and frames-within-frames to convey the loneliness and isolation of a matriarch trapped by the snobbery of her children and the gossip of her social-climbing country club chums. Criterion is proud to present this subversive Hollywood tearjerker in a new Special Edition. Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman were so successful in Douglas Sirk's Magnificent Obsession that they reteamed for this, his first melodrama masterpiece. Young hunk Rock is a strapping son of mother nature, a gardener who woos middle-aged, middle class widow Wyman to the snooty disapproval of her conservative social circle and embarrassment of her self-centered children. Wyman discovers a new life with his open-armed friends and back-to-nature lifestyle, but struggles with life-changing decisions in the face of social pressure and vicious gossip. Living the Henry Thoreau dream, Rock inhabits his personal Walden in a rustic country cabin by a bubbling brook, a dream house lit by a giant picture window overlooking an idyllic countryside where deer pose just outside the window. Wyman's elegant but sterile suburban home transforms into a tomb when she sacrifices her love for the "good name" of her children, and the lonely widow sees her future in the pale, colorless reflection of her TV screen. But don't despair just yet: Sirk's heroines are dynamic and resourceful and no Sirk melodrama ends without a heart-tugging, over-the-top twist. German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who championed Sirk as a master and a mentor, remade the film as Ali: Fear Eats the Soul decades later. --Sean Axmaker
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