Review of:Far From Heaven (2002)
Director:Todd Haynes
Rating:PG-13 for mature thematic elements, sexual content, brief violence and language
Starring:Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis
When viewing this movie the title of the film struck me as being maybe the most appropriate title to adorn a film in a long time. Far From Heaven would mean that the film is maybe a representation of the film being more in favor of the darkness that is usually associated with hell. The director (Todd Haynes) does one of the best jobs in recent memory of showing what everyday life in the 50's might be like while adding real life issues.
We are introduced to Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) as the almost Beaver Cleaver like mom who caters to her husband Frank (Dennis Quaid) while providing the essential support that her children need. Unlike the Cleaver's that adorned the screen the real everyday problems that face real families lives seeps through the screen to give the viewer a chance to slowly soak up what the film is trying to say.
Director Todd Haynes brings this movie to life with a visual look that is mostly rich fall colors that match the clothes of all that are in the movie. It provides a uniformed look throughout the film, but it also provides a nice backdrop when you see all of the problem's that arise. The scenery reminds me of the visual color of the film Dick Tracy. It is this use of visual beauty that makes everything that is wrong in Cathy Whitakers life seem that much more magnified. It is the perfect contrast since everything around her seems to be of such beauty.
Like many films it covers several different types of subject matter, and it seems to hold the steadiest focus on racism in this time period. The catalyst that antagonizes this pretty little picture is Raymond Deagan (Dennis Haysbert) who just happens to be an open minded black man. He is open minded to the fact that every person of a different race he comes into contact with isn't racist. When he takes a job as the gardener of the Whitaker's trouble is soon to follow.
Being of different colors doesn't stop the friendship of Raymond and the equally open minded Cathy from becoming fast friends. Their friendship speaks of something beyond the petty racism, and suffering that the world seems to want to put on their front doorstep. That is where the beauty lies in this film. The director doesn't' push these facts on you, but let's you see through the story. The film matches the beauty colors with the fact that if this was another time period these two soul mates could have explored much more in their relationship. With trouble mounting in both of their lives it is there commitment to their friendship that helps them ride through the storm.
This film is subtle in its presentation, but does a wonderful job of portraying what the director is trying to get across. This is a gem that everyone should have in their collection.
