MovieChat Forums > All That Heaven Allows (1955) Discussion > Best shot EVER in a movie!

Best shot EVER in a movie!

posted 11 years ago by nycruise-1
10 replies | jump to latest

That shot where Jane's son gives her a ribbon-wrapped TV set for Christmas just after he tells her to sell the house because he's moving away and his sister/her daughter is getting married and moving out as well.

Jane gazes at her reflection that's being reflected from the center of the picture tube, surrounded by Christmas ribbon, pondering her miserable lonely fate that her children have delivered to her.

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] hka-3 11 years ago

I loved it, too, and how right before she saw her reflection the man said, "All you have to do is turn that dial and you have all the company you want...right there on the screen at your fingertips."

A television set is the last refuge for lonely women!

[–] ghtx 10 years ago

That was a good shot. It was featured in Cousins's "The Story of Film," though I can't remember which episode.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] darkkie 10 years ago

Yes I agree. That shot was incredibly beautiful. One of my all time favorites for sure.

[–] aciolino 10 years ago

About as subtle as a train wreck.

[–] Projectedlight 9 years ago

Subtlety is overrated.

[–] hockeyhrs 9 years ago

It's more than just the reflection of Jane (and/or the fire in the fireplace) on the TV screen . . . .

Notice how many shots are of characters' reflections in mirrors or mirrored-walls (above the fireplace). This is a visual motif suggesting those characters are (or should be) contemplating their identity (which is the theme of the whole film).

[–] marhefka 9 years ago

Actually, I like the scenes near the end and at the very end. The big window, the beautiful snow covered landscape, and the deer right outside the window.

[–] Crystal (534) 5 years ago

Yes

[–] marcusbechelli 9 years ago

I personally think the film should have ended at that scene