Review of Far from Heaven (2002) by Jeffrey C — 30 May 2007

Todd Haynes takes the 1950's domestic melodrama style to uncover what lies beneath the surface of the picture perfect 1950's family. The result is one of the most poignant, heartbreaking, and best acted films of the decade.

While it takes on several issues, i.e. homosexuality, racism, and feminism; it's far from an 'Issue' film, and yet accomplishes more than many so called 'Issue' films (for example 'Crash'). And though it is stylistically a melodrama, there is something about the characters and the story that is so much more real and true than our notion of melodrama suggests.

Between Dennis Quaid's self-hating demeanor as he tries to lead the life he is supposed to lead and quell his inner desires, Dennis Haysbert's painful expression when he lets go of his hopes and desires, and in the middle of it all, Julianne Moore giving a controlled, multilayered, emotional performance, I'd call this one heck of a film.