one of my favorite activities is watching julianne moore play crushingly well-dressed women who are trying to hold it together
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EN
In 1950s Connecticut, a housewife's life is upended by a marital crisis and mounting racial tensions in society.
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Cast & crew
6What people say
julianne literally birthed the gays and they treated her like THIS? i'm homophobic now
Many have spoken of Todd Haynes' technical craft here, and rightfully so--the film is gorgeous in its evocative color palettes. I even found myself wistful for autumn colors in certain scenes, knowing that in my tropical swamp we won't be getting any. Given that I adore my muggy nightmare of a city's weather, it's impressive that mere imagery could evoke that longing in me. I insist I don't need reds, golds, and browns in my leaves; stop trying to bait me, Mr. Haynes. But what impressed me even more is how he uses the tropes and craft of melodrama, with his inspirations in the socially conscious films of the greatest melodramatists, to emphasize the emotional impact of social injustices. It is easy to read this film on a surface level, and perhaps find it lacking. The emotions are outsized by design, and like in West Side Story, some might find it off-putting to seemingly exploit them this way. But again, like in West Side Story, this intentional outsizing gives room for interesting nuances, though Haynes' film has more on its plate.Notably, it intertwines three prominent forms of prejudice in a way that shows how damaging they all are. Homophobia, racism, and sexism converge in a harrowing manner, showing how each one neatly combines to destroy lives, and how the consequences of that spreads to others around them. Homophobia and sexism leave Cathy struggling financially. Racism and homophobia leave her heart-broken. Racism brings violence to Raymond's family. Homophobia drives Frank to alcoholism and more. Any one of these would be enough to ruin all three of their lives, but combined, they stand no chance. The film isn't perfect, of course. It's Cathy's story, which is to the detriment of Frank and Raymond's characters in a way that seems to favor a slightly more hegemonic story. The balance is off just a bit, but it's enough to be slightly disappointing, when every other beat is just right.
Common questions
What is Far from Heaven about?+
It follows a pristine 1950s Connecticut housewife whose idyllic life shatters as she confronts her husband's secret life and the racial tensions surrounding her friendship with her black gardener.
Who directed Far from Heaven?+
Todd Haynes directed the 2002 film, a renowned American auteur known for his distinct visual style and work in queer cinema.
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