All That Heaven Allows

An upper-class widow falls in love with a much younger, down-to-earth nurseryman, much to the disapproval of her children and criticism of her country club peers.

• Director: Douglas Sirk
• Genre:Drama / Romance
• Runtime:89 minutes

Cast

Jane Wyman : Cary Scott
Rock Hudson : Ron Kirby
Agnes Moorehead : Sara Warren
Conrad Nagel : Harvey
Virginia Grey : Alida

Cary Scott (Jane Wyman) is an affluent widow in suburban New England, whose social life involves her country club peers, college-age children, and a couple of men vying for her affection.

She becomes interested in Ron Kirby (Rock Hudson), her family’s gardener and a down-to-earth, younger man. Ron is content with his simple life outside of judgmental society, and the two fall in love. Ron introduces her to other people who have no need for wealth and status, and she responds positively. Cary accepts his proposal for marriage, but becomes distressed when her friends and children look down upon and reject her for this socially-unacceptable marriage. Cary breaks off the marriage when her children threaten to abandon her. Both she and Ron continue their separate lives in sorrow.

As Cary’s social life returns to its original state, she notices other women becoming engaged and living lives of happiness. Even her own children are soon to leave the family home. Cary realizes that she is ready to defy social norms and commit to loving Ron. She rushes to his side when he has a life-threatening accident, telling him that she has come home. Read more