Far From Heaven (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'Far From Heaven', written/directed by Todd Haynes, pays homage to those Douglas Sirk melodramas from the 1950s in the study of a repressed Connecticut socialite coping with sexuality & race relations in upper-middle class suburbia. Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) seems to have it all: the perfect home, the perfectly manicured lawn, the white picket fence, the handsome husband, 2 adoring kids with impeccable manners, the perfect black maid ... even Cathy's hair & outfits are completely in place at all times. When Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore), a Hartford housewife/mom, finds her successful TV salesman husband (Dennis Quaid) in secret embrace with a man, she's stunned, confused, yet determined to save her marriage.
Frank confesses that he has always had these homosexual 'feelings' & even seeks out a doctor to help find a "cure". While Frank struggles with his sexuality, and with Cathy bound in silence, she finds herself drawn to Raymond (Dennis Haysbert), her kind, sensitive, intelligent, dignified ... black gardener. She finds comfort in their warm conversations. But this is 1957, and on occasion when he & Cathy are seen together in public, a firestorm of scandalous gossip ignites through the town. Raymond's idealistic (almost anachronistic) belief that race should not be a social barrier are put to the test; resulting in complete social ostracism. And of course, Frank's hush-hush homosexuality doesn't help matters. Melodrama of the highest order ensues.
Todd Haynes has made a subtle, yet clever, incisive script that explores the many psychological ramifications of indecent conduct (homosexual & interracial) for those times. In this time of great conformity, it was difficult to be female, gay, or black -- and our unfortunate characters must struggle with all 3. Visually, 'Far From Heaven' is one of the most traditionally beautiful motion pictures of 2002. The colors (burnished oranges, blood reds, plush purples, forest greens, cool blues) are designed to evoke the style, visual approach & vibrant Technicolor imagery used by Douglas Sirk. Most of the scenes take place in New England during autumn with the brilliance of the multi-hued leaves popping out across the screen. The sets & costumes are period perfect.
And Elmer Bernstein's musical score serves both the visuals & the storyline at hand wonderfully.
Something else I really find interesting about 'FFH' is that: while the story is set in the 1950s ... it also FEELS like a 1950s movie. Douglas Sirk faced derision in the 50s for making these types of sappy "women's films"; usually starring Jane Wyman or Lana Turner. But Todd Haynes exalts Sirk by creating a film that includes elements from some of the director's best: All That Heaven Allows & Imitation of Life (plot points that focus on forbidden love involving blacks and/or scandalous gardeners). Julianne Moore delivers her typically excellent performance; a portrayal full of intelligence, intuition, rawness & almost painful gentility. Dennis Quaid has never been better; capturing the insecurity, bitterness & self-hatred of a husband grappling with unwanted homosexuality. Dennis Haysbert evokes Sidney Poitier in his tender, considerate turn as Raymond, the optimistic gardener. Support is provided by the great Patricia Clarkson (as Cathy's best friend), Celia Weston, Viola Davis & James Rebhorn.
Though it tells a simple story, the impact of the story is potent. Everything from the film's style, to its substance, to its ambitions, to the performances, is great. And it's fascinating to see how people facing these issues in the 1950s did not have an avenue, an outlet, a vocabulary, or even a context to understand why they feel the way they did (drawn to someone of the same sex, drawn to someone of a different race). Having said all of that, I felt a bit emotionally distant in the end; & I don't really know why. While Douglas Sirk's movies moved me to tears, this film didn't -- I just kind of witnessed it. This meticulous re-creation of those Douglas Sirk films is wildly admirable, but I was not as emotionally/cathartically involved as I expected to be. Still, 'Far From Heaven' is clearly a quality movie from top to bottom.
Frank confesses that he has always had these homosexual 'feelings' & even seeks out a doctor to help find a "cure". While Frank struggles with his sexuality, and with Cathy bound in silence, she finds herself drawn to Raymond (Dennis Haysbert), her kind, sensitive, intelligent, dignified ... black gardener. She finds comfort in their warm conversations. But this is 1957, and on occasion when he & Cathy are seen together in public, a firestorm of scandalous gossip ignites through the town. Raymond's idealistic (almost anachronistic) belief that race should not be a social barrier are put to the test; resulting in complete social ostracism. And of course, Frank's hush-hush homosexuality doesn't help matters. Melodrama of the highest order ensues.
Todd Haynes has made a subtle, yet clever, incisive script that explores the many psychological ramifications of indecent conduct (homosexual & interracial) for those times. In this time of great conformity, it was difficult to be female, gay, or black -- and our unfortunate characters must struggle with all 3. Visually, 'Far From Heaven' is one of the most traditionally beautiful motion pictures of 2002. The colors (burnished oranges, blood reds, plush purples, forest greens, cool blues) are designed to evoke the style, visual approach & vibrant Technicolor imagery used by Douglas Sirk. Most of the scenes take place in New England during autumn with the brilliance of the multi-hued leaves popping out across the screen. The sets & costumes are period perfect.
And Elmer Bernstein's musical score serves both the visuals & the storyline at hand wonderfully.
Something else I really find interesting about 'FFH' is that: while the story is set in the 1950s ... it also FEELS like a 1950s movie. Douglas Sirk faced derision in the 50s for making these types of sappy "women's films"; usually starring Jane Wyman or Lana Turner. But Todd Haynes exalts Sirk by creating a film that includes elements from some of the director's best: All That Heaven Allows & Imitation of Life (plot points that focus on forbidden love involving blacks and/or scandalous gardeners). Julianne Moore delivers her typically excellent performance; a portrayal full of intelligence, intuition, rawness & almost painful gentility. Dennis Quaid has never been better; capturing the insecurity, bitterness & self-hatred of a husband grappling with unwanted homosexuality. Dennis Haysbert evokes Sidney Poitier in his tender, considerate turn as Raymond, the optimistic gardener. Support is provided by the great Patricia Clarkson (as Cathy's best friend), Celia Weston, Viola Davis & James Rebhorn.
Though it tells a simple story, the impact of the story is potent. Everything from the film's style, to its substance, to its ambitions, to the performances, is great. And it's fascinating to see how people facing these issues in the 1950s did not have an avenue, an outlet, a vocabulary, or even a context to understand why they feel the way they did (drawn to someone of the same sex, drawn to someone of a different race). Having said all of that, I felt a bit emotionally distant in the end; & I don't really know why. While Douglas Sirk's movies moved me to tears, this film didn't -- I just kind of witnessed it. This meticulous re-creation of those Douglas Sirk films is wildly admirable, but I was not as emotionally/cathartically involved as I expected to be. Still, 'Far From Heaven' is clearly a quality movie from top to bottom.