Without a doubt, one of the very best films of the millennium, a touching social drama that takes elements of those great 1950's Ross Hunter women's weepers and adds on a few issues that society didn't talk about during those days, hiding many of these issues in their deep closets. This is Julianne Moore at her loveliest, and you want to just embrace her. She's the most noble of all of the Connecticut housewives in her very upper middle class neighborhood, and some would argue that Moore and husband Dennis Quaid are actually lower upper class. They have two terrific children, a beautiful home with a gorgeous back yard, and the trees have begun to change their colors that make the viewer cry, "Aaah!"
The issue that they face is exposed first to the viewer. Quaid is secretly going to hangouts for closeted gay men in Hartford, and when he's busted, he claims it's a mistake. But Moore takes him dinner one night and finds him kissing another man. She's the understanding type, certain that they can fix the problem with medical treatment. This is a decade before Stonewall so even the most liberal of society wasn't as knowledgeable and accepting. Moore's confidante, Patricia Clarkson, expresses her feelings which are quite conservative, stereotypical and definitely of the time.
There's also Moore's loyal maid, Viola Davis, quiet and dignified, seemingly content to be in her position, and Moore treats her with great kindness. She also befriends Dennis Haysbert, the son of her late gardener who runs his own hardware store and starts to work for her part time. The gossip of Hartford society begins to make ears wag, and the prejudices of this so-called polite society are slowly revealed.
The strength of Moore's character is the glue that holds this movie together, with a terrific ensemble of actors from every walk of the business. As she realizes the phoniness of her life, she has to face her issues with dignity and independence, something a woman really didn't have in the 1950's. Every issue in this film is presented in such a sensitive way that the audience is intrigued rather than feel that they are being lectured. The script and direction by Todd Haynes and music by the legendary Elmer Bernstein truly creates a sensational film. This movie is shear perfection.
The issue that they face is exposed first to the viewer. Quaid is secretly going to hangouts for closeted gay men in Hartford, and when he's busted, he claims it's a mistake. But Moore takes him dinner one night and finds him kissing another man. She's the understanding type, certain that they can fix the problem with medical treatment. This is a decade before Stonewall so even the most liberal of society wasn't as knowledgeable and accepting. Moore's confidante, Patricia Clarkson, expresses her feelings which are quite conservative, stereotypical and definitely of the time.
There's also Moore's loyal maid, Viola Davis, quiet and dignified, seemingly content to be in her position, and Moore treats her with great kindness. She also befriends Dennis Haysbert, the son of her late gardener who runs his own hardware store and starts to work for her part time. The gossip of Hartford society begins to make ears wag, and the prejudices of this so-called polite society are slowly revealed.
The strength of Moore's character is the glue that holds this movie together, with a terrific ensemble of actors from every walk of the business. As she realizes the phoniness of her life, she has to face her issues with dignity and independence, something a woman really didn't have in the 1950's. Every issue in this film is presented in such a sensitive way that the audience is intrigued rather than feel that they are being lectured. The script and direction by Todd Haynes and music by the legendary Elmer Bernstein truly creates a sensational film. This movie is shear perfection.