Douglas Sirk
1956

The boy picked this out, having wanted to see a Sirk picture since he saw Far From Heaven, which I just watched last week.
You can see why Todd Haynes would want to imitate the guy. From a director's perspective, this was just gorgeous. It's classic Hollywood-auteur style. He's working within the dominant style system, but you won't mistake it for anyone else's work.
That Rock Hudson was in it was interesting given Far From Heaven's whole gay husband plot. But the Robert Stack character was closer. Just like the Dennis Quaid guy in Far From Heaven, he started drinking because of anxiety over being the proper husband/father figure. Only with the possibility of sterility substituted for the homosexuality.
Although, his relationship with the Rock Hudson character felt a little bizarre. They were "like" brothers and they travelled together and stuff. And Rock Hudson is totally jealous when he gets married. He says because he's in love with Lauren Bacall. But it would make more sense that he's upset about losing his childhood companion. And also explain why he never leapt into the waiting, slutty arms of Robert Stack's sister for solace.

But then, even a gay man could love Lauren Bacall.