MOVIE - FAR FROM HEAVEN - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$$
STARRING - Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson & Viola Davis.
DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER - TODD HAYNES (Safe, Velvet Goldmine, Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story & Poison)
An exploration of the simmering tensions boiling up under the serene surface texture of 1950's America.
If you truly want to understand the 1960's you must fully comprehend the 1950's. The idyllic nature of the decade, often fondly remembered as a simpler time, actually masked disparity and tension (emotional, sexual & race related) in a facade of conformity that Martha Stewart would die for. It was a semi-benign oppression, in that it was manufactured and propped up by convention rather than force, but it was still oppressive. Issues that were potential social dynamite (race relations, sexuality, and a woman's liberty), were artfully kept from exploding by extolling conformity as the means to achieving success, in a world of unparalleled prosperity. Those that played by the rules would get a piece of the pie known as the American dream. Unfortunately, the film doesn't deal with the social impact the prospect of nuclear annihilation had on American society at the height of the Cold War. This was the hammer used to bring those not fully convinced to conform into line (an added, but important, secondary effect of the Cold War and McCarthyism).
Far From Heaven blows the lid off of the "fond memories playing havoc with reality". Artfully turning 50's convention on itself the movie skillfully mocks the contrived reality. The sexist, racist nature of the period is on full display, though as in Bowling for Columbine, the main proponents wouldn't recognize it. It is only with the benefit of viewing the 50's through a 21st century lens that its flaws are revealed.
Far From Heaven is a luscious production. Its everything Femme Fatale is not and a movie that Brian DePalma should definitely see. There is ample, but not excessive use, of cinematography to emphasize the film's underlying message. From the fall leaves, to the crisp, bright clothes, and the colour of Julianne Moore's scarf, each frame is lovingly accentuated. Sexiness is exuded in scenes where the actors keep their clothes on. Far From Heaven doesn't resort to one "cheap" film device.
I'm not a big fan of Julianne Moore but she does a wonderful job in Far From Heaven. She easily conveys the simultaneous naiveté and wisdom of this distraught 50's housewife. Denis Quaid matches her performance, step for step, a portrayal that may well earn him an Oscar nomination. Both actors rise to the challenge of conveying a diversity of emotion within characters heavily constrained by the artificiality of the world they exist in. Dennis Haysbert is also excellent as the gardener/craftsman with the heart of gold struggling to survive in a world with clearly marked boundaries meant not to be crossed.
The title, Far From Heaven, accurately portrays the message of the film not its quality. This potential Academy Award Winner, in several categories, is a MUST SEE.
ALTERNATIVE REVIEWS:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-far15f.html
http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~dkasman/reviews/farfromheaven.html
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/FarFromHeaven-1117120/reviews.php
OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
http://www.farfromheavenmovie.com/
MY TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2002 LIST
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2003
David Schwartz.
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8/9/03; 11:06:37 PM.
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