Cathy and Frank Whitaker appear to live the ideal life, and could appear on the cover of 'The Saturday Evening Post.' In fact, the attractive couple poses as models in advertisements for the successful Hartford, Connecticut based company where Frank (Dennis Quaid) works. Cathy (Julianne Moore) is a stay-at-home mom who throws classy luncheons with the help of her black maid Sybil (Viola Davis) and a caterer.
What lies beneath the surface of their picture-perfect life is what turns this gorgeously filmed movie into a dark, retroactive social commentary. However, the issues raised are not exactly topical, as everyone knows that the 1950s were a repressive time in America. In 'Far From Heaven', director Todd Haynes creates a replica of a Douglas Sirk style film such as 'All That Heaven Allows'. I've never seen 'All That Heaven Allows', but Sirk's 'Imitation of Life' (1959) is a much more poignant look at race issues in the 1950s than 'Far From Heaven' is, and is especially remarkable for its time.
'Far
From Heaven' presents the story in a straightforward manner, and uses melodrama rather than satire to convey its message. In their highly neurotic upper-middle class society, it is taboo to even speak to black people, or "negroes" as the Whitakers' friends call people of color. At one dinner party, guests are discussing the issues of segregation in the South, and one man comments, "Well, there aren't any negroes in Hartford." The camera pans left to reveal two black servants clearing the table. When the Whitakers take a trip to Miami, all the white people exit a pool when a little black boy simply dips a toe in.
Cathy, on the other hand, is very kind to everyone. While she sometimes inadvertently makes offensive comments, such as asking her gardener "how on Earth" he found out about a modern art exhibit, she truly seems to care about discrimination against blacks and supports the NAACP, whereas the other people in her social circle simply employ black maids.
Frank Whitaker is a successful executive who is tormented by his horribly shameful secret-- he is sexually attracted to men. Cathy and her June Cleaver-esque friends can't even bring themselves to say the word "homosexual" in an era when homosexuality was considered a disease that could be cured by a psychiatrist. After Cathy cathes him snogging another man in his office, Frank says he will do whatever it takes to "get better," but he slides into alcoholism and becomes increasingly angry and bitter.
The only person Cathy can talk to is her angelic gardener Raymond Deagan (Dennis Haysbert.) Since Raymond is black, viscious rumors spread across town after the two are seen chatting, putting Raymond and his daughter's safety in danger.
I spent the entire film with my hands clenched together, waiting for something horrible to happen. In the end, this film feels more like a slow burn of sadness than one single catastrophe.
In terms of acting, Moore is perfect for the role, but Haysbert is rather wooden. Quaid does nothing spectacular, and the role could have been played by any number of male actors.
Haynes seems to be confused about whether he is making a film about race or homosexuality. The race part is much more emphasized, and a lot simpler to deal with historically. It would have been interesting to see what Frank's psychological treatments consist of, as that theme is dropped after his initial consultation with a doctor.
I had a film professor who used to describe certain classic movies as being "so ravishingly beautiful that you want to eat every frame with a golden fork." 'Far From Heaven' is that kind of film. It even features Sirk style crane shots and the best lighting I've seen in years. The images of the Connecticut fall foliage (especially when Cathy and Raymond take a walk in the woods) and the colours of Moore's costumes are gorgeous. It is worth seeing this film for the classic cars and 1950s styles, which are, according to my parents, very accurate.
Far from being a nostalgia piece like many retro '60s films are (Woodstock and free love tend to be particularly romanticized), this '50s film made me appreciate the modern day, which, while not perfect, is certainly better than the '50s. However, walking out of the theater into my own quiet New England town, I couldn't help but wonder what horrible secrets lie below our own picturesque façade.
CERTIFICATE: 12A in the UK/ PG-13 in the US/ PG in Canada
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Production Year: 2000 - Drama - Director: Gregory Hoblit - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Andre Braugher, Jim Caviezel, Noah Emmerich, Dennis Quaid, Shawn Doyle, Elizabeth Mitchell
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
I thought this was a gorgeous and brilliant film, with a radiant Moore performance....absolutly loved it!!! Another great op!!! Chris xxx
franproc 22.09.2003 08:54
This was a gorgeously shot film and Julianne Moore was amazing in it, but I agree, it did seem to be a little style over substance.
Great review.
xxxxx
hepialid 29.06.2003 21:15
Great review, I'll give this a try when it comes out on ky or DVD. Andy.
Far from Heavenis a uniquely beautiful film from one of the smartest and most ... more
idiosyncratic of contemporary directors, Todd Haynes (SafeandVelvet Goldmine). It takes the lush 1950s visual style of so-called women's pictures (particularly those of Dougl...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Far from Heavenis a uniquely beautiful film from one of the smartest and most ... more
idiosyncratic of contemporary directors, Todd Haynes (SafeandVelvet Goldmine). It takes the lush 1950s visual style of so-called women's pictures (particularly those of Dougl...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
In the fall of 1957 in Connecticut Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) is returning home from ... more
a day of errands. Her husband Frank (Dennis Quaid) is expected home for a dinner engagement. There's only one problem no one has heard from Frank all afternoo...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
It is the fall of 1957 in Connecticut, Cathy Whitaker is returning home from a day of ... more
errands. Her husband, Frank is expected home for a dinner engagement. There's only one problem, no one has heard from Frank all afternoon.What begins as a curious sna...
Advantages: 1950's Slice-of-life, realistic, thought provoking, the acting, the location, the script, etc. Disadvantages: Time seems to move a bit strangely at points in this movie, some may say that its a bit of a satire of itself
TheChocolateLady 11.01.2003 (24.03.2003)
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Review of Far From Heaven (DVD)
Advantages: 1950's Slice-of-life, realistic, thought provoking, the acting, the location, the script, etc. Disadvantages: Time seems to move a bit strangely at points in this movie, some may say that its a bit of a satire of itself
TheChocolateLady 11.01.2003 (24.03.2003)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Far From Heaven (DVD)
![Far From Heaven [DVD] [2003]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78502395.jpg "Far From Heaven [DVD] [2003]")
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