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Far from Heaven
The opening sequence and the music take you into the 1950s Conneticut, where the action takes place.The Whitakers seem to have the perfect American dream life, in fact the couple use themselves as "Mr. and Mrs. Magnatech" to promote the company. Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) has a husband, Frank (Dennis), a famous TV salesman, two children and a comfortable home. But all is not as perfect in paradise as appears on the surface.

Frank Whitaker is covering up his drinking problem and trying to hide his homosexuality, which in the 50s was a taboo subject. When Cathy catches her husband in the arms of another man, they can not even mention the subject in an awkward conversation. Frank promises to find a doctor to help him "beat this thing", as though homosexuality was a disease.

Cathy�s life is further complicated by the arrival of Raymond (Dennis Haysbert) who has taken over his recently deceased father�s job as gardener. He is a handsome, mild mannered, kind and educated man. Their friendship raises a few eyebrows, even though there is no sexual involvement. When the couple are seen in public the town starts to talk. This mixed couple are not welcome by either the white or black community. Again this reflects the views of the time, although Cathy and Raymond themselves do not see colour as a problem.

We see the ideal family falling apart whilst trying to keep up the appearance of a perfect life. The film shows how America was in1957 and works well historically, but it can go where films of the time could only hint at. Elmer Bernstein's score reflects the mood and sounds of the time perfectly.

The film is beautifully shot and the colours used match the mild Technicolor colours used by Hollywood in the era. Even the sets seem to have been taken from a 1950s film. The film looks and feels as if it was written and filmed in the 50s. This is not surprising as Todd Haynes, the director and writer of the film ,cites Douglas Sirk's "All That Heaven Allows" (1955), which starred Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson as one of his influences.

Julianne Moore is perfect as Cathy and is supported well by the rest of the cast. The film is over ambitious in covering both race and homosexuality and does not fully cover either of them as well as it could have done. This is a very emotional film, which looses something cerebral when transferred to the screen. There are few original touches as Haynes deliberately tries to stay within the 50s style. Overall the film is enjoyable and well worth watching.

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