DVD Review: Far From Heaven (B+)

Far From Heaven (2002)
Directed by Todd Haynes
Starring Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: B+

Review by Scott Standish

Todd Hayne's beautiful tribute to the films of Douglas Sirk is also an entertaining, luscious and at times thought provoking examination of 1950's morality in America. The acting is impressive (Julianne Moore is certainly one of the finest actresses working today) and the direction is solid. The melodramatics have been toned down a bit from the Sirk classics, so Far From Heaven is a more even, although less passionate film than Sirk's Written On The Wind.

Cathy and Frank (Moore and Quaid) are the perfect couple with a fabulous home and two beautiful children. Frank is an executive at Magnatech and his marriage is so perfect (or so it seems) that the company uses them in ad campaigns as "Mr. & Mrs. Magnatech".

When cracks appear in their marriage, Cathy struggles to cope and finds herself confiding in her African-American gardener Raymond. In a stuffy, conservative Connecticut town, her relationship with the gardener is frowned upon. Cathy finds herself conflicted with the emotions she hides beneath the surface and the surface layer that she needs to present to society.

Julianne Moore is absolutely enchanting as the prim and proper housewife with a heart of gold. Dennis Quaid does a surprisingly effective job in a role that certainly most would have thought to be a casting stretch. Cathy's gardener Raymond (Dennis Haysbert) actually steals the show in my opinion as he shows a tenderness and intelligence throughout his character's travails.

Far From Heaven swept the Chicago Film Critics Awards and the New York Film Critics Awards grabbing all of the major awards, including Best Picture. If you are looking for a good drama with solid acting, lavish art direction and cinematography, this is for you. Highly recommended.

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