Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

Pluskylang Great Film overall

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

Roxie The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

vincentlynch-moonoi I usually don't review a film which already has this many reviews, but I'm going to make an exception this time because this film is just not right. It's a well-meaning film; I'm convinced of that. But it just is off kilter and unrealistic.First we have the conflict between husband and wife as the husband more or less surrenders to his gay sexuality. Good topic for a film. But the way it's portrayed is "unreal"...and dark (literally)...and does not provide Dennis Quaid with any opportunity to provide any depth to his character. In fact, the way it's handled makes it quite clear that this film belongs to Julianne Moore. Moore gives a good performance here, but again it seems like an unreal portrayal of a housewife, even back then.Second, we have the conflict between 2 people struggling in a time of segregation. This comes off somewhat more realistically...but not much. For example, when Dennis Haysbert takes Moore to the Black bar/restaurant; that didn't fit his sensitive character as portrayed in the film. Again, Haysbert doesn't get a chance to delve into his character more than superficially. Again, Moore's film.I know this film has received lots of kudos. I just don't agree.

eduardo ramirez Hartford, Connecticut, 1957. Frank and Cathy Whitaker are what people might name "The American Dream come true": he's a successful salesman, she's a devoted housewife in charge of a perfect house in the suburbs and two lovely children, and committed to the social causes of the time. But this will fall apart when Cathy discovers a shocking truth about Frank, and she finds solace in Raymond, the black gardener, which will make her the center of the town's gossips.Todd Haynes has declared himself as a great admirer of the highly stylized melodramas made back in the 50's (especially the ones directed by Douglas Sirk: Imitation of Life and All that heaven allows). His third feature Far from heaven is an open homage to these movies, and it's also a compelling approach for younger audiences to an often forgotten genre. Haynes' splendid screenplays offers a sharp gaze to social troubles that sadly still remain just like in the 50's: sexual preferences treated as a disease and racial discrimination towards black people (let's remember they basically had zero rights at that time). In addition to this, tells a poignant story about forbidden love following the rules of melodrama (a plot that appeals to the heightened emotions of the audience, suffering protagonists (usually heroines) facing tremendous social pressures, threats, repression, fears, etc), escaping its clichés and conventionalities skilfully. As mentioned, in Far from heaven, Haynes' intention is to accomplish a faithful recreation of the old-fashioned period dramas in which production values become another character of the movie (an essential one). Thus, Haynes' creative team is able to put together a visually-striking gem: from Edward Lachman's exquisite cinematography, Sandy Powell's alluring costumes and Elmer Bernstein (in one of his final works) and his evocative music (it's not an accident the fact that Haynes chose him to score the movie, since he worked in several of those period pieces): all of them are perfectly assembled without overshadowing the final result. The third element that makes this movie so powerful and compelling is the acting: Haynes trusts in Julianne Moore's tremendous range and she portraits Cathy's tribulations with an affecting honesty (this is one of her top performances, for which she won the Best Actress Award at the Venice Film festival and received an Oscar nomination, among many other awards). Then there's Dennis Quaid, delivering the best performance of his career: as Frank he embraces his confusion and pain brilliantly, and creates empathy for a man whose "sin" to live a lie and hide his true desires. And behind them, there's a firs-rate supporting cast, including Dennis Haysbert as Raymond, the gardener who will comfort Cathy (even though this might cause him some pain) and Patricia Clarkson and Viola Davis in strong turns. With this movie, Todd Haynes let us know his superb skills as director by taking in a misunderstood genre, infuse it with new life and keeping its essence at the same time.

Davis P Far from Heaven is definitely one of the best films ever to be made. It stars Julianna Moore, Dennis Quaid and Patricia Clarkson. The writing and the screenplay is absolutely wonderful! The dialogue shared between the characters is so witty, enjoyable, and it's very smart/clever. The acting is wonderful here as well! Julianne Moore SHINES here! She so deserved that academy award nomination, and if you ask me, she should have won! Dennis was very good too, he played the emotional and distraught scenes very well, he was so very convincing in his role as a closeted gay man, which obviously wasn't nearly as widely accepted back in the 1950s time period. This movie addresses both LGBT and racial issues including harsh discrimination and prejudice feelings against both types of people, and the actors really show that so well! This movie is just a delight to watch, mainly because it's just so well made, well acted, and well written. It deserves every single one of its 4 academy award nominations! 10/10 for Far From Heaven!

Python Hyena Far From Heaven (2002): Dir: Todd Haynes / Cast: Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis: Intriguing film examining the values of 1950's lifestyles in comparison to modern day. It also regards views and expectations of a high profile marriage and the destructive nature that unravels it. Julianne Moore organizes community events but is shocked when she catches her husband kissing another man. She confides in her black gardener, which leads to destructive gossip. Set in 1957 and plays off humour when words such as "Jeez" is considered foul. It also offers compelling views of race and sexuality. Well crafted by director Todd Haynes who successfully establishes the time and lifestyles and how it has changed with time. Moore is fantastic and radiant as a housewife struggling to deal with several feelings. Dennis Quaid as her husband are superb in his dilemma and. Dennis Haysbert is well cast as the gardener whom adds a new level of interest due to his race. Patricia Clarkson plays Moore's friend turned sour when she learns certain gossip. Ending is abrupt with unanswered questions. Viola Davis is featured as a maid. The children are somewhat sheltered by the identity of their father for which their mother struggles to process. Some elements are predictable while others are merely intriguing but its message indicates that our society is far from Heaven. Score: 8 / 10