Far from Heaven

Todd Haynes, 2002 (107 mins, Cert. 12A)

It is the fall of 1957. The Whitakers make their home in Hartford, Connecticut. Their daily existences are characterized by carefully-observed family etiquette, social events and an overall desire to keep up with the Joneses. Cathy (Julianne Moore) is the homemaker, wife and mother. Frank (Dennis Quaid) is the breadwinner, husband and father. They have two pre-teen children, a boy and a girl. As the story unfolds, Cathy's pristine world is transformed. Her interactions with her gardener, Raymond (Dennis Haysbert), her best friend and her maid reflect the upheavals in her life. Cathy is faced with choices that spur gossip within the community and change several lives forever.
(Film Publicity)

Hot on the heels of The Hours, Juianne Moore gives another mesmerising performance of controlled intensity. Dennis Quaid is better than usual and the rest of the cast pull their weight as we see how the outcome of flouting sexual and racial taboos depends on one's place in society. All round, a powerful and involving film whose downbeat ending leaves open the question of just how much has changed in fifty years.
(Steve Fagg)

Seen: Friday, 14th March, 2003 (Arts Picture House, Cambridge)