My husband, the Hollywood writer and movie guru, coined this catchy phrase, Oscar Movie Monday, and it just stuck.  He made it a point to ensure we spent quality time together on a regular basis, so one of his clever ideas was that on the first Monday of every month we would watch an Oscar nominated film.  So, to pay tribute to my hubby’s wonderful idea, on the first Monday of each month I will share an Oscar nominated movie that I think all mom’s will appreciate, whether it be for the laughs, or the tears or the memorable moments moms will value forever.

Today, I’ve chosen the 1959 version of the film, “Imitation of Life.” This is a movie with special meaning because as a kid I watched this picture with my mother time and time again.  It didn’t mean as much to me until I grew up and had kids of my own, but now I understand why this was my mother’s favorite movie and why she cried so much when she watched it.

The film stars Lana Turner and John Gavin, and features Sandra Dee, Dan O’Herlihy, Susan Kohner, Robert Alda and Juanita Moore.  Kohner and Moore both received Oscar nominations for their respective roles.

The story takes place in 1947, in New York, where a struggling widow, Lora Meredith, played by Lana Turner, has dreams of becoming a successful actress.  While at the beach, every mom’s nightmare turns to reality when Lora loses track of her daughter, Susie (Terry Burnham) and she solicits the help of a stranger, Steve Acher (John Gavin), to help find her.  Somehow Susie ends up in the care of Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), a loving African-American, divorcee who’s with her own daughter, Sarah Jane (Karin Dicker), who’s so light-skinned that she could easily pass for white.  Lora takes in Annie and Sarah Jane, and in exchange Annie agrees to take care of Susie. 

Lora begins dating Steve, but their courtship comes to an end due to her ambitious career aspirations; the same ambitions that will eventfully cause the demise of her relationship with her daughter.  Meanwhile, the ever conflicted, Sarah Jane is struggling with her identity and becomes angry at the notion of being less than, of being held down, of being black.  And, she turns this animosity towards her mother.

Eleven years pass and Lora’s dreams of Broadway stardom have finally come true; Annie continues to live with her, serving as housekeeper, nanny and best friend, as it becomes very apparent these two single moms desperately need each other.  One night, after a show, Lora runs into Steve, whom she hasn’t seen in a decade.  The two rekindle their relationship and Steve is reintroduced to Lora’s daughter, Susie (now played by Sandra Dee), who finds herself falling in love with Steve.  For obvious reasons, this causes tension between Lora and Susie, which prompts Susie to go away to school.

Meanwhile, Sarah Jane (now played by Susan Kohner) who’s still yearning for some sort of peace, continues passing for white. Subsequent events push Sarah Jane farther away from her roots and, sadly, her disdain for her mother takes a physical and mental toll on Annie.  Finally, Sarah Jane runs away to California and begins living as a white woman under an assumed identity. 

In one of the most heart-wrenching scenes for any mother to watch, Annie flies out to California to see her daughter one last time to say goodbye.

Most Memorable Mom Moment: When Sarah Jane sees her mother in California, she yells, “Why can’t you leave me alone!” Knowing this would be their last meeting they finally hug and Annie tells her daughter, “I love you so much.  Nothing you ever do could stop that.” In this painful moment, all moms will be able to relate to a mother’s unconditional love for her child. 

Keep the tissue box close; you’re going to need it.