Far from Heaven (2002)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Todd Haynes

Writer (WGA):

Todd Haynes (written by)

Release Date:

22 November 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

What imprisons desires of the heart?

Plot:

In 1950s Connecticut, a housewife faces a marital crisis and mounting racial tensions in the outside world.

Plot Keywords:

1950s | Homosexuality | Housewife | Marriage | Gardener

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 73 wins & 35 nominations

Cast

Julianne Moore	...	Cathy Whitaker
Dennis Quaid	...	Frank Whitaker
Dennis Haysbert	...	Raymond Deagan
Patricia Clarkson	...	Eleanor Fine
Viola Davis	...	Sybil
James Rebhorn	...	Dr. Bowman
Bette Henritze	...	Mrs. Leacock
Michael Gaston	...	Stan Fine
Ryan Ward	...	David Whitaker
Lindsay Andretta	...	Janice Whitaker
Jordan Puryear	...	Sarah Deagan
Kyle Timothy Smith	...	Billy Hutchinson (as Kyle Smyth)
Celia Weston	...	Mona Lauder
Barbara Garrick	...	Doreen
Olivia Birkelund	...	Nancy

Also Known As:

Loin du paradis (France)

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) | South Korea:12 | Spain:7 | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39061) | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Bayonne, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Focus Features

Trivia:

This film was influenced by the work of Douglas Sirk.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Cathy and Frank are in the psychiatrist's office, there is a glass or water on the desk. The glass alternates between full and empty several times, depending on the camera angle.

Quotes:

Frank Whitaker: I know it's wrong because it makes me feel despicable.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Anatomy of a Scene: Far from Heaven" (????)

Soundtrack:

Auld Lang Syne

Beautifully well made film is unforgettable thanks to rich performances.

Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) has it all, a handsome husband (Dennis Quaid), Two wonderful children (Ryan Ward & Lindsay Andretta), a loyal housekeeper (Viola Davis) and her close best friend (Patricia Clarkson). Everything for Cathy goes well until her husband starts questions his own sexually. Things are slowly changing for Cathy, when she meets her new gardener (Dennis Haysbert). Which her Gardener is a nice, caring African American man. Cathy's wonderful life is only an illusion and she forced to live a lie or following her heart.

Written and Directed by Todd Haynes (Poison, Safe, Velvet Goldmine) made an genuinely well done melodrama with plenty of style and substance. Moore gives an beautiful, touching performance. Quaid in his best performance yet, which he's outstanding. Haysbert is terrific as Cathy's Gardener. Excellent production designs, lush cinematography and an beautiful music score are the highlight of this film.

DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an fine DTS 5.1 Surround Sound (Also in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound). DVD has an featurette, a half-hour "Anatomy of a Scene", an featurette with Julianne Moore & the Director and more. This film was nominated for four Oscars including Best Actress, Best Original Score by the late Elmer Bernstein (Bringing Out the Dead, The Maginificent Seven, To Kill a Mockingbird), Best Cinematography by Edward Lachman (Less Than Zero, Selena, The Virgin Suicides) and Best Original Screenplay. This film is a must-see. This film is a loving tribute to the 1950's melodrama films. Executive Produced by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean's Eleven-2001, Out of Sight, Solaris-2002) and George Clooney (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night and Good Luck, Insomnia-2002). (**** ½/*****).