Start a free trial Thousands of TV series and movies to watch instantly. Already a member?

Enter PIN

Please enter your 4 digit PIN

x

Far From Heaven Details

2002 Certificate 12
  • 60
  • from 10,890 members

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

Sign up Far From Heaven DVD

loading loading...

Far From Heaven cover art

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 Certificate 12
Genres Drama, Gay/Lesbian
Language DVD: English
Released Production year: 2002

To Rent:
DVD: 22 Sep 2003

  • Critic's review of Far From Heaven

    View all (1)

    • 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

    • 32700

  • Most helpful member's review of Far From Heaven

    View all members' reviews (152)

    • Rated - 4.0 stars  

      • 25
      • 2

      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 ... read more »

      Report this review

    • 15153

  • Most recent members' reviews of Far From Heaven

    View all members' reviews (152)

    • Rated - 5.0 stars  

      • 0
      • 0

      Full 5 stars

      I was surprised I got this one so quick - it was literally my next dvd after I'd placed it on the list - How can nobody not want to watch this film???? ... read more »

      Report this review

    • 1047903
  • View all members' reviews (152)

  • News and features

    View all
    Savage Grace

    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

  • People who rented this also rented

    Showing 1 to 4 of 20

    loading

    powered by

Like it What's this?

Write a review

Rating breakdown

10,890 Member ratings
  • 100
870
  • 90
846
  • 80
1,875
  • 70
1,968
  • 60
2,153
  • 50
1,187
  • 40
832
  • 30
518
  • 20
437
  • 10
204

Related user collection

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

    • Far From Heaven

    • 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 ...

Want to watch something right now?

Start your FREE trial now

LOVEFiLM - An Amazon company

Follow LOVEFiLM on

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Cookies and Internet Advertising | EULA | Affiliates | Jobs | Inside LOVEFiLM Blog | About Us | Contact Us

International sites UK DK DE SE NO

LOVEFiLM, the LOVEFiLM logo and all other LOVEFiLM product or service names are trade marks of LOVEFiLM International Ltd. or its affiliates.

© 2012 LOVEFiLM UK Ltd. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.