Far from Heaven

Genre: psychological drama  

With: Julianne Moore (Cathy Whitaker), Dennis Quaid (her husband Frank), Dennis Haysbert (Raymond Deagan), Patricia Clarkson (Eleanor Fine), Viola Davis (Sybil), James Rebhorn (Dr. Bowman)

Director: Todd Haynes

Screenplay: Todd Haynes

Release: 2002

Studio: Focus Features, Vulcan Productions, Killer Films et al.

Rating: PG-13

MBiS score: 8.6 /10

‟Have a proud life, have a splendid life.”

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Story-line: the setting is Hartford, Connecticut, the time, 1957, and the Whitakers, Frank and Cathy, are the toast of the town. Frank works for Magnatech as an ace sales executive, Cathy is considered a model spouse and both provide sterling publicity to his company. In private, however, their household is slowly unravelling.

Pluses: top-flight acting by Julianne Moore and cast, a well-told and tragic story, spot-on dialogues, fine direction and satisfying production values.

Minuses: be patient if the first act feels a bit slow; the rest of the movie will reward you handsomely. 

Comments: I’d love to tell you more about FAR FROM HEAVEN but I would only spoil it for you. Do see this praiseworthy film about personal secrets, conformism and social pressures in an era not far removed from our own.  

MBiS

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