Naomi Murdoch, a small-time actress, has been estranged from her family for many years. One night after a show, Naomi receives a letter from her youngest daughter, asking that Naomi attend her play. Moved by the heartfelt letter, Naomi reluctantly returns home to this small town, attempting to reconnect with her family that she ran out on so long ago. Douglas Sirk's All I Desire is an extremely well crafted melodrama featuring strong performances all around, most notably Barbara Stanwyck, who delivers one of the most soulful performances of her career. Douglas Sirk is one of my favorite filmmakers for his ability to capture melodrama in a way that never feels overly sentimental, with All I Desire being another great example of this. With a story that sounds downright smultzy from synposis alone, Sirk deconstructs small-town America, capturing the sheltered mindset and underlying dark corners that exist. That being said, Sirk hasn't created a seething commentary but a balanced study of domestic life, showcasing the allure of this world, while contrasting small-town america vs. the big city life. From a characer perspective, All I Desire is engaging and emotoninally resonant, following this woman whose absense from her children has led to division among them. While Naomi's youngest daughter idolizes her mother's big city actress life style, her oldest daughter despises her for jettisoning her family. Sirk explores these relationships in such a soulful way, creating a beaitufiuly realized portrait of a woman having to face her past mistakes. All I Desire is a stunning film as well, with perfectly designed compositions and staging that is remarkabe, especially consiidering this is a film from the early 50s. Douglas Sirk's All I Desire is a rich thematic film, exporing small town vs. big city, the balance between personal goals and family, among other things, being another example of why Sirk is such a celebrated filmmaker.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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