"Far From Heaven"

Far From Heaven (2002): 8/10

Poster art from impawards.com
In Todd Haynes' beautiful melodrama, Julianne Moore plays Cathy Whitaker, a well-to-do 1950's mom of picture-perfect David and Janice (Ryan Ward and Lindsay Andretta) (except when they use strong language like "Geez") and housewife of Frank (Dennis Quaid). Frank is a businessman of a TV company, and also their spokesman of sorts. But there's trouble in paradise.

Their gardener died, so his son Raymond Deagen (Dennis Haysbert) is taking over. Frank is becoming a homosexual, so they go to a doctor to try and cure him. During this time, Cathy goes to Raymond to lean on, and maybe a little more? So the perfect life breaks apart, even after a relaxing trip to Miami.

I've never enjoyed reviewing movies like this, because I can never use many different words. But Far From Heaven was beautiful and heartfelt; everyone gave 110%. Lots of painstaking effort. It was heartful yet heartbreaking. Don't come here looking for relief, you'll only find grief. Hey, I like that. Acting was top notch. Moore was, well, moore good than I expected (sorry, just HAD to). She rightly deserved her Golden Globe nom. Quaid was somewhat creepy and subdued, adding to his already good acting ability (and thankfully it's Dennis and not Randy acting here). Haysbert adds more of my repect towards him (he's awesome on 24), and I'm glad he's getting more roles. Viola Davis (last seen in Solaris), who plays a maid, seems to have tried to come from the 1800's, but she was still good.

As I said before, it's heart breaking, but not hankie-warranting. Despite what it looks like, it isn't a chick flick. It's not a "guy movie" either, but it's a well rounded movie, with some flickets of humor in there. Ugg! I can't think of much else to say, so I'll just say...see it!

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, sexual content, brief violence and language.

Review Date: December 23, 2002