All That Heaven Allows (1955) ****

Douglas Sirk's All That Heaven Allows (1955) is a story about always following your heart and not letting the bastards grind you down (even if those bastards are your friends and family). Via gorgeous Technicolor and moving performances, ATHA is a powerful and passionate tale of class struggle, love affairs vs. love, individuality vs. conformity, and a prime example of Hollywood melodrama. As the music swells over the final scene so do the tears.