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All That Heaven Allows
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All That Heaven Allows

1955
Romance
Drama
1h 29m
Cary, a wealthy widow, falls in love with the much younger nurseryman, Ron Kirby. This provides gossip for the country club set... (imdb)
Directed by:
Douglas Sirk Douglas Sirk
Written by:
Peg Fenwick Edna L. Lee
+1 more
Starring:
Agnes Moorehead Agnes Moorehead Rock Hudson Rock Hudson Charles Drake Charles Drake Jane Wyman Jane Wyman Conrad Nagel Conrad Nagel Virginia Grey Virginia Grey Gloria Talbott Gloria Talbott Leigh Snowden Donald Curtis William Reynolds William Reynolds Hayden Rorke Jacqueline deWit
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Genres:
Romance, Drama
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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All That Heaven Allows

1955
Romance
Drama
1h 29m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 70.36% from 895 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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danilolopesDanilolopes
Rated 06 Jun 2008
100
98th
Just perfect! An absolutely gorgeous melodrama.
Rated 06 Jun 2008
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 17 Dec 2015
90
92nd
Rock Hudson knows A LOT about wood.
Rated 17 Dec 2015
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 19 Mar 2007
92
96th
Brilliantly conforms to the rules of melodrama while slyly subverting them, beautifully photographed in Technicolor with a keen eye for framing, and quietly but brutally obliterates middle-class notions of what's proper. And it does all this while still being a heartfelt tear-jerker. It's sometimes hard to draw the line between what's corny for the sake of irony and what's genuinely just plain corny, but that's part of the fun of watching it.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
djrossdjross
Rated 06 Dec 2008
65
71st
Some fine moments in a generally well-done melodrama, but some virtues claimed for it (as for Sirk in general) are, perhaps, rather easy virtues, in particular that of irony. The way in which audiences have come to Sirk retrospectively is, in my mind, somewhat suspicious: it is as if there is something about his movies which allows audiences possessing a particular kind of purported cinematic "education" to feel they are in the know. Nevertheless, contains some impressive aspects.
Rated 06 Dec 2008
monisitMonisit
Rated 07 Sep 2018
51
15th
The characters are all a bit selfish, couldn't get behind the romance either. It just lead to a very melodramatic experience with very little substance to stand out from the rest. Outside of the photography, it doesn't very lend itself well to the genre.
Rated 07 Sep 2018
eveeluneveelun
Rated 22 Oct 2008
74
55th
While gorgeously filmed, I wasn't won over totally by the melodrama. It's not bad melodrama, but it never reaches a high pitch of excitement or social relevance like, say, Almodovar's films do.
Rated 22 Oct 2008
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 22 Oct 2009
5
93rd
Perhaps its subversive sense of irony is obvious and low hanging fruit, but there is much to be said about this film's expressions. It is one of the most gorgeous applications of Technicolor: a splendid composition of light, color, and depth. The conviction of its performances is the evidence of sincerity, and its remarkably frank confrontation of sexuality instills a timely social relevance. It is Sirk's masterpiece, the pristine model of his ability to elevate weepy melodrama into high art.
Rated 22 Oct 2009
icarusIcarus
Rated 13 Dec 2020
90
89th
So much of my appreciation for this movie is based on how to take it: straight ahead, it is a beautifully shot but overtly silly love letter to an individualized romantic love that has lost all connection to community and is based only on current feelings. However, if taken ironically, then we have a cautionary tale about the inability of women to be truly empowered in American society, even when they finally make a choice for themselves. I choose to believe the latter, making this outstanding.
Rated 13 Dec 2020
twincinematwincinema
Rated 29 Sep 2018
90
92nd
The older I get, the more I realize I love a glorious melodrama. This film is progressive for its time. Was about to get real mad that Hudson dies by falling off the cliff.
Rated 29 Sep 2018
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 09 Nov 2014
2
11th
as the ending approached, endless layers of irony and destiny were heaped upon the narrative, but all i could think about was how wrinkly those old mens' faces get when they kiss. douglas sirk makes me want to vomit rainbows.
Rated 09 Nov 2014
yiannosYiannos
Rated 10 Jan 2016
73
78th
Overpraised by auteurists, All That Heaven Allows is nonetheless an impressive piece of old fashioned Hollywood film making that has more depth than your average melodrama from the same period. The framing is impeccable, and the colours are moody, expressionistic and vivid, detailing the inner lives of the characters and intensifying the drama at crucial moments. While the film is broadly a critique of bourgeois values, it also has the stones to tackle class, which is a big no-no today.
Rated 10 Jan 2016
bofbof
Rated 05 Jun 2013
80
83rd
Yes, there are bits that feel overdone, and I miss the grittiness of Fassbinder's version, but I love how the movie LOOKS so completely like any other 50s romance yet feels a lot more honest in its depictions both of the lead couple and of the hypocrisy and close-mindedness of the people around them. It's melodrama, but it's melodrama that wins you over.
Rated 05 Jun 2013
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 06 Jun 2011
4
70th
Sirk's overblown emotions, symbolism and plot contrivances would be laughable if they didn't cut so deeply. For all its melodramatic twists and turns, All That Heaven Allows manages to be highly effective, working on both a surface level and in its more subversive treatment of 1950s attitudes (sexism, classism, et al). You can really see the influence this had on Fassbinder's Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, from its portrayal of societal trappings down to the gorgeous color photography.
Rated 06 Jun 2011
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 14 Aug 2012
85
59th
I love how people say melodrama like it's a bad thing, when really it's one of the best things. If all movies looked like Douglas Sirk's Technicolor movies, I would actually be a happy person.
Rated 14 Aug 2012
walkearthwalkearth
Rated 14 Feb 2022
65
72nd
Elegant and beautifully crafted, however the melodrama didn't hit the right notes with me. The film has a bit of a generic foreign TV melodrama feel, but only a tad. The story flows smoothly and with a consistent mellow atmosphere, with actors who evidently try to give it their best. I wasn't overly enthusiastic about Rock Hudson's character falling in love with Jane Wyman's, to be frank - I expected him to be a crook and it felt as a gimmick all the way through to the end. Oh, well.
Rated 14 Feb 2022
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 03 Oct 2007
83
72nd
It's a sappy melodrama, but Sirk has a way of making that enjoyable by poking fun at his characters without going over the top. The oversaturated reds, while jarring at first, really give the movie a unique look.
Rated 03 Oct 2007
jimmy_suedeJimmy Suede
Rated 21 Aug 2017
70
45th
Say it with me: "Rich people bad... Nonconformists good..." That said, even though it's heavy-handed it's not a bad movie. I enjoyed the cinematography most, the cool shots and lighting. Our man Ron Kirby, though, only seemed human when Cary (a woman, as opposed to Cary Grant) broke up with him, perturbing his imperturbable rightness. And wow, her son was one of the biggest bastards I've ever seen.
Rated 21 Aug 2017
jakeaestheteJakeAesthete
Rated 07 Nov 2015
62
60th
'Drama, comedy, life's parade at your fingertips.' I found it surprising how upfront the social criticism in this was, it hardly even feels like subtext that would have gone unnoticed to viewers of the time. I think you'll find a lot more actual subversion going on in a Tashlin film. But rather than any 'hidden meaning' to be discovered, what really sells this is the impeccable, gorgeous style (those fucking colors!) that clearly influenced everyone from Fassbinder to Almodovar to Kaurismaki.
Rated 07 Nov 2015
ihatemoviesIHateMovies
Rated 05 May 2008
80
46th
A tough movie for most people to get through, the melodrama is tiresome but the photography and message are beautiful.
Rated 05 May 2008
dvicknabbDVicknabb
Rated 17 Apr 2008
84
52nd
You know, I'm lost on this one, because I don't know where to rate a movie that balances Sirk's incredible eye for photography (especially the vibrant Technicolor) and mind for satire with a wholly grating melodrama plot. One of the best made movies that I've ever found hard to re-watch.
Rated 17 Apr 2008
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 18 Jul 2020
60
35th
Normally, I'm a fan of movies that have a decent plot and some interesting characters. Although this one qualifies, it's got one big morality stick that keeps smacking you on the head (helped by the soaring musical pieces). I'm sure this was risque in its day, but it's lost a little of that over the years. The Technicolor was quite beautiful, and I have to confess I fell in love with ol' Rock's cabin. The rest gets filed under "first world problems."
Rated 18 Jul 2020
sourheartsourheart
Rated 29 Mar 2018
3
36th
Very good. Interesting dynamics and the reactions are always very surprising.
Rated 29 Mar 2018
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 01 Feb 2010
92
89th
A very fine "woman's picture,' with Jane Wyman giving an excellent performance as a wealthy widow who falls for a younger working class man who truly loves her.
Rated 01 Feb 2010
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 26 Apr 2008
60
39th
Consistent in it's melodramatic nature and charmingly eager in it's heart, but not incredibly tasty.
Rated 26 Apr 2008
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 17 Mar 2019
85
31st
85.00
Rated 17 Mar 2019
timon88Timon88
Rated 22 Jun 2020
39
31st
Glossy melodrama, but for contemporary sensibilities, just a bit weird. There is absolutely NO chemistry between Wyman and Hudson (he does get to show off some singular oral dexterity in one scene, though), all the adults of the town interact like superannuated high-schoolers, and the kids act like they're 40. Agnes Moorehead is such a fabulous villainess that one feels cheated when she's playing nice.The overripe score is muzak fantasies on themes of Brahms and Liszt.
Rated 22 Jun 2020
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 13 Jan 2010
86
72nd
278
Rated 13 Jan 2010
braddad68braddad68
Rated 06 Aug 2020
94
74th
Well done romantic drama and the team of Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman have solid chemistry again.
Rated 06 Aug 2020
kaelkael
Rated 31 Oct 2020
1
0th
A trashy love story about the attraction between a natural man (Rock Hudson, as a New England tree surgeon) and a frustrated-byrespectability rich widow (Jane Wyman) who is some fifteen years older than he and has two grown children.
Rated 31 Oct 2020
hysteriaHysteria
Rated 06 Dec 2020
75
79th
When this was suggested to me, I took one look at the trailer and dismissed it. But I was suddenly In The Mood for Love and decided that I would give it a go. It's lovely. I feel awful for assuming it would be empty fluff and even worse for ever having doubted her. There is a disarming amount of sincerity and depth to this melodrama. My heart was beating so fast throughout. It almost makes you feel that love is the only answer. If only things could be so simple in real life. P.S Mona can suck it
Rated 06 Dec 2020
pianosamaPianoSama
Rated 15 Sep 2021
70
82nd
A lovely story that shouldn't be as relevant in the modern day as it really is. People suck, they've always sucked, they will continue to suck, and those of us who do not suck simply have to find the courage within ourselves to rise above. That, intermingled with the time-honored "true love wins the day" theme, is the message at the heart of this one. It's conveyed pretty damn well, & with some lovely colors that pop off the screen like Rockwell come to life. Rock Hudson was stupidly attractive.
Rated 15 Sep 2021
thereminjamThereminJam
Rated 04 Oct 2021
90
93rd
The more I think about this movie, the better it gets. Increased my rating to reflect that.
Rated 04 Oct 2021
lethiaslethias
Rated 29 Oct 2021
90
89th
Now this is a true product of the Dream Machine, in Technicolor. This film is so strong in messages it tries (and succeeds) to deliver. There is certain quality and total comfiness that made me feel great. Of course it's overly dramatic but hey, how often to you get 3 minute easy going home party singing and playing scenes! A good example of Hollywood doing it right (Sirk was well known for pointing out the Hollywood hypocrisy and it went over people's heads at the time).
Rated 29 Oct 2021
sellissellis
Rated 11 Feb 2022
62
24th
As beautiful a movie to look at as you'll ever see. The narrative varies from ridiculous to banal to hilarious, which is entertaining in its own way.
Rated 11 Feb 2022
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 29 Dec 2022
75
57th
A very good, if predictable, romantic melodrama from Douglas Sirk. Beautifully made and very colorful. It's just solid, though nothing spectacular.
Rated 29 Dec 2022
croweycrowey
Rated 01 Oct 2022
65
54th
Honestly? Pretty hot. But fails the basic test of a romance: is the only real obstacle the main characters themselves? Carrie’s kind of a weenie, making up normie problems, and Hunkster’s honestly probably a total player, but despite the needless melodrama & frivolously manufactured conflict, it’s a beautiful movie, lovely ideas & hilarious how it keeps dunking on television & the suburbs. The message & character arcs are fabulous and still disappointingly relevant.
Rated 01 Oct 2022
ottott
Rated 05 Jan 2023
75
68th
wow i was kinda suprised how straight forward and simple this was, nice
Rated 05 Jan 2023
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 15 Feb 2023
94
89th
sirk's heavenly melodrama wows....
Rated 15 Feb 2023
bownBown
Rated 30 Mar 2024
77
42nd
The COLOURS in this thing! Very simple but still very effective. Getting kicked out of the library is probably the worst thing to ever happen to that nerd-ass daughter
Rated 30 Mar 2024
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
86
72nd
#287
Rated 30 Nov 2011
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 01 Mar 2008
87
79th
# 269
Rated 01 Mar 2008
randallodimRandallODim
Rated 31 Aug 2013
94
96th
Ahead of its time, in so many ways.
Rated 31 Aug 2013
susie_mauvesusie-mauve
Rated 14 Feb 2014
89
80th
It's brilliant how Sirk constructs an apparently conformist film about conformity and addressed to conformists. His hints of critique are subtle, but wonderfully pregnant. In a setting of dull judgemental conformist society, you see fits of rebellion against consumerism, patriarchy, sexual constraint, even homophobia. Sirk's boldest move? A woman embodies all this rebellion, without it seeming so.
Rated 14 Feb 2014
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 16 Dec 2014
95
95th
O cinema de Sirk é tão deslumbrante que causa uma sensação de desespero ao se cogitar que todos os filmes deveriam ser bons assim.
Rated 16 Dec 2014
jastrupjastrup
Rated 13 Jan 2010
95
95th
Oh, the melodrama! Even better than Todd Haynes brilliant semi-remake "Far From Heaven".
Rated 13 Jan 2010
clark_novaClark Nova
Rated 12 Mar 2014
100
97th
ROCK solid
Rated 12 Mar 2014
rottentRottenT
Rated 21 Mar 2018
93
83rd
Big heart, big drama, and even bigger colors, All That Heaven Allows is tip top Douglas Sirk.
Rated 21 Mar 2018
mechatiggerMechatigger
Rated 09 Dec 2009
71
50th
Absorbing soap opera, beautifully directed.
Rated 09 Dec 2009
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 13 Aug 2022
79
59th
As always with Sirk, there is more going on at the heart of this than the overripe melodrama gives away - for whatever reason, the melodramatic plot here doesn't seem to have a great deal of substance, hidden or otherwise, leaving the viewer with a gorgeously photographed soapie, which really has little to say literally about May-October romances, or indeed 50s conservatism, which is hinted at without following through on. Perhaps a rewatch would reveal more than the surface level histrionics.
Rated 13 Aug 2022
stepsidewaysstepsideways
Rated 13 Nov 2007
40
6th
Pretty, vacant.
Rated 13 Nov 2007
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 28 Feb 2016
17
93rd
Star Rating: ★★★★1/2
Rated 28 Feb 2016
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 25 Sep 2007
83
93rd
On a superficial level this is an overly sentimental, preachy, melodramatic chick flick with caricatures for characters and ridiculous dialog. Underneath that is a very wise, deliberate, complex, emotionally and socially savvy drama. Any Fassbinder fan will immediately notice how much he took from this movie. Note the use of color, careful framing and of course the doctor telling the protagonist "There is nothing organically wrong with you", a line that's a real Fassbinder staple.
Rated 25 Sep 2007
mrarnmrarn
Rated 09 Dec 2014
61
81st
The drama of younger man dating a older woman seems dated and a little silly. The selfishness of the children made them appear very cruel and self centered.
Rated 09 Dec 2014
worstcasesceworstcasesce
Rated 14 May 2011
1
0th
I never thought of good ol'American melodramas as something that COULD be good, but this sure showed me. The sappiness personally doesn't do it for me, but not only does it have beautiful Technicolor, but lurking under here is a striking indictment of 1950s America. I don't know if it's corny or is winkingly knowledgeable of the fact, but if you have to watch a cheesy melodrama, I guess it's this one. It's smarter than people gave it credit for upon release. Score is not a grade.
Rated 14 May 2011
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
86
72nd
281
Rated 19 Dec 2008
doiresdoires
Rated 25 Nov 2007
99
93rd
An absolutely gorgeous melodrama with wintry romantic scenes and fantastic acting. I never expected to enjoy Rock Hudson so much.
Rated 25 Nov 2007
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 21 Feb 2010
69
46th
Holy Shit, it's Sirk o'clock!
Rated 21 Feb 2010
prowlerprowler
Rated 10 Feb 2014
92
95th
everyone and everything in the movie is a (beautifully) painted cardboard cutout, except for Cary. could have easily failed, but in Sirk's expert hands it just works perfectly.
Rated 10 Feb 2014
dooooooleydooooooley
Rated 02 Oct 2008
90
82nd
If Oscar Wilde was a screenwriter and half of his wit got edited out... plus amazing visual design and color usage and a great reference to Thoreau and any self-reliance based philosophy.
Rated 02 Oct 2008
nunstranglernunstrangler
Rated 04 Sep 2009
71
60th
Hopeful Sirk romance that still takes some jabs at conformity.
Rated 04 Sep 2009
hulothulot
Rated 22 Feb 2013
100
96th
watched: 2013, 2014, 2017, 2021
Rated 22 Feb 2013
baggerBagger
Rated 20 Feb 2012
71
54th
To some love is just a four-letter word. But to Douglas Sirk it is always something that can be compared to the mightiest waves of the ocean.
Rated 20 Feb 2012
mandymandy
Rated 01 Feb 2012
8
92nd
Great Technicolor and cinematography creates what appears to be another afternoon women's movie but there is so much more going on beneath the surface. When Cary is given a TV set by her son it is such a poignant moment. Great.
Rated 01 Feb 2012
rojatumerojatume
Rated 31 Aug 2016
88
96th
I have not been so emotionally invested in a film in a long time. Though some scenes at the end are a tad off, (I personally would have preferred that Cary stand up to her awful children, rather than just allow the pieces to coincidentally fall into place; WHY DID THEY FEEL THE NEED TO INCLUDE THE SCENE WITH THE DOCTOR?!?! DID THIS GUY WHO WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE SERIOUSLY MOTIVATE HER TO DO WHAT SHE DOES?!?!) all of the choices made and problems faced make perfect sense.
Rated 31 Aug 2016
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 05 Jan 2012
77
79th
Exactly what I was expecting and hoping for for a Douglas Sirk film. I just wish more of them were in technicolor.
Rated 05 Jan 2012
xacviantxacviant
Rated 12 Aug 2015
90
91st
A suburban widow (Jane Wyman) falls in love with a younger arborist (Rock Hudson), and they soon plan to marry...but her social circle and children are not so quick to accept him. First and foremost, the use of Technicolor is almost beyond words; Russell Metty and Sirk make one of the most gorgeously saturated films I've ever seen. And Sirk's critique of 'respectability' and suburban values really stings. Magnificent work from Wyman and Hudson; the plot feels a bit rushed at times but enthralls.
Rated 12 Aug 2015

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