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Far From Heaven
2002
The model marriage of Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) in 1950s Hartford is depicted in television ads, and a magazine features photographs of Cathy as a model homemaker and citizen. Yet, behind the curtains of their dream home, Cathy and Frank hide scandalous secrets. Frank has been masquerading his .. Read more
| Starring | Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson |
|---|---|
| Director | Todd Haynes |
| Genres | Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
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Far From Heaven
The model marriage of Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) in 1950s Hartford is depicted in television ads, and a magazine features photographs of Cathy as a model homemaker and citizen. Yet, behind the curtains of their dream home, Cathy and Frank hide scandalous secrets. Frank has been masquerading his homosexuality and is seeing a doctor for a heterosexual conversion. Meanwhile, Cathy finds solace in her gardener, Raymond (Dennis Haysbert), a black man about whom Cathy must conceal her growing feelings, since simply being seen with him is cause for scandal.
Filmmaker Douglas Sirk employed the trappings of the melodrama to satirise and criticise narrow minds in the 1950s status quo with films such as ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS. Todd Haynes (SAFE) uses Sirk's highly stylised universe to critique society half a century later in FAR FROM HEAVEN. The film uses thematic elements of Sirk's such as isolating characters through windows and vivid, symbolic colours and flowers. It also applies Sirkian plot devices such as gossiping neighbours and demonising television. Attacking prejudice, Haynes' methods are particularly effective as he uses an antiquated style of filmmaking to shed light on societal problems that are pervasive even in the 21st Century.
| Starring | Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis, James Rebhorn |
|---|---|
| Director | Todd Haynes |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 47 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Feisty Females |
| Genres | Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 22 Sep 2003 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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This exquisite evocation of the 1950s tear-jerkers of director Douglas Sirk (it borrows heavily from the Jane Wyman-Rock Hudson vehicle All That Heaven Allows) is gorgeously designed, stunningly photographed, ravishingly scored and beautifully acted. Julianne Moore plays a housewife in 1957 Connecticut who, reeling from the discovery of husband Dennis Quaid's homosexuality, develops an attraction to her black gardener (Dennis Haysbert). This perfectly pitched synthesis of Sirkian themes — middle-class conformity, hypocrisy and self-delusion — is no flamboyant camp-fest. Nor is it simply a parody of an arch period style, employed to hint at forbidden desires that were left unspoken in Wyman's day. Without a trace of intrusive irony, lush images illustrate a taboo-breaking story without suffering from the restrictions of that time. Because it deals with sexual, feminist and racial issues that are still valid, this immaculate melodrama works as both a barbed comment on current American values and a sumptuous period piece.
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Elegantly designed and shot and acted, and made in the style of a Douglas Sirk melodrama, this subverts the form by bringing to the fore what would have been the subtext of the movie in the 1950s; it is undeniably clever, but too often feels like an exerc
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Most helpful member's review
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20 out of 22 people found this review helpful
Quite close to heaven actually!
Classy, wonderfully shot film, I really enjoyed it and it made me think. The themes of the trapped woman, suppressed sexuality and inter racial relationships were certainly around in the 50's just beneath the surface. What it made me think was that it could also be a comment on the here and now because despite the rhetoric of politicians I think many people still hold these views and in 2004 that is a very bad thing. So watch it and then think about how many people you know who are just as bigoted today.
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Most recent members' review
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6 out of 10 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Too Far From Heaven
This is an excellantly made film, a totally believable cast, magnificent settings, beautiful music and yet it left me with an empty feeling. It resembled the proverbial six-pack with the plastic thingy missing.
Set in 1950's Hartford, Connecticut the ever loving wife (Julianne Moore) is betrayed by her succesful husband (Dennis Quaid) who has discovered that he prefers men.
As if things could not get worse, the wife befriends her African American Gardener (Dennis Haysbert), all very innocently and both of them become ostracised by their respective peer groups.
I felt that the movie lacked closure and that like an expectant pilot episode there was room left for a long running series.
A very good example of a film to hire, if you liked it fine, but at least you did not buy it.
A quality production, well worth watching but not on my personal 'Must Have' list. -
News and features
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Savage Grace
- 07 Jul 2008
Definitely not the movie you want to watch with mother, this true tale of sexual perversity, jealousy and madness among the decadent set is engrossing enough as a case study, but likely to leave you feeling a bit queasy before, during and after. Julianne Moore plays Barbara Daly, a former actress who married above her station. Brooks Baekeland (Stephen Dillane) is an upper-class Brit who never tires of bemoaning the fortune his inherited from his grandfather, who invented Bakelite plastic.... Read more
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The model marriage of Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) in 1950s Hartford is depicted in television ads, and a magazine features photographs of Cathy as a model homemaker and ... -