Review of Far from Heaven (2002) by Heather K — 30 Jan 2008

Todd Haynes 'Far From Heaven' captures the essence of the 1950's suburban America perfectly; not just the kitsch furniture and vibrant colours of nature, as well as the now humorous melodrama of the era, but the cruel yet glossy world it was, the sinister masks of its citizens - the dangerous gossip life where you either talked, or be talked about.

Julianne Moore is a powerful actress. She fully embraces her characters strengths and faults, and embodies them until you don't see acting at all. The film touches upon the issues of the era, homophobia, class prejudice and racism, but they remain undertones to the story - which really is the tragedy of this woman, whose life is in turmoil simply because of her situation.

She lives on the edge when she is both sensible and stable, and every moment her life is tinged with a small glimmer of happiness we can only watch helplessly as it is cruelly and unjustly snatched away from her.

Yet still the director does not sweep these issues aside, but makes them part of her tragedy, in a clever build to what is almost beyond a nervous breakdown. The film isn't perfect, but the flaws are insignificant in the grand scheme of things; Haynes has found a level of intelligence and subtlety to base his drama, and it remains consistently delicate and absorbing.

It's a slow and tragic metaphor of complete and utter sadness, one which Haynes captures perfectly, and Moore even more so.