Imitation of Life poster

Imitation of Life

Fannie Hurst's best selling novel of today's tormented generation!

7.4(332)19592h 5m3

In 1940s New York, a white widow who dreams of being on Broadway has a chance encounter with a black single mother, who becomes her maid.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
—
Language
English
  • family
  • motherhood
  • passing for white

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Director

Douglas Sirk

Produced in

United States of America

Where to watch

All options

Availability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereNR17 Mar 1959
  • United KingdomGB

    • Theatrical129 Apr 1959
  • BrazilBR

    • Physical12Rep. Arrais mj.gov.br14 Jul 2009
  • FranceFR

    • TheatricalU2 Oct 1959
  • IrelandIE

    • Theatrical1226 Jun 1959
  • South KoreaKR

    • Theatrical128 May 1999
  • SwedenSE

    • Theatrical155 Oct 1959

Frequently asked questions

Imitation of Life was released on 9 April 1959.

Audience reviews

2
  • C

    CinemaSerf

    1/24/2023

    7/10

    Whilst Lana Turner is great in this family drama, the plaudits really ought to go to the sparing appearances of the hugely charismatic Juanita Moore. The latter woman is very much down on her luck, with her daughter "Sarah Jane", when she rescues the young "Susie", separated at the beach from her mother "Lora" (Turner). Not that she has much better prospects, but "Lora" takes in the destitute couple and that seems to…

  • G

    griggs79

    9/23/2024

    9/10

    Imitation of Life is a masterpiece that explores race, class, and privilege in 1950s America. Douglas Sirk's final Hollywood film masterfully contrasts the lives of Lora Meredith (Lana Turner) and Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), using their intertwining stories to expose the stark divides of the era. The emotional depth of Annie's relationship with her daughter, who chooses to pass as white, is super-emotional and hea…

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