Tremendous Work of Art
Added 11/27/2009
Todd Haynes film Far From Heaven is such a heavenly creation for any melodrama fan. Sumptuos writing, acting, sets,costuming. They wear couture to return the tupperware!Extravagant and richly fullfilling and a deluded and ultimately disillusioned leading lady. Heartbreaking and satisfying at the same time.Long live the fifties housewife caucasian fantasy!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Heavenly...
Added 11/25/2009
For me, it is hard to review this film. There is a lot about it that touches me deeply and actually brings me to a place that is hard for me to accept. That said, the film is one of the most complete films I've ever seen, maybe THE most complete. What I mean by that is that the film has every element down to a science, from the sets to the score to the cinematography to the acting to the dialog; everything perfectly fitting within the stylistic vision direction Todd Haynes creates here. When I say stylized I should probably clear up what I mean. This is far from a visually overwhelming spectacle in the vein of Hollywood epics but is stylized in that it is a visually stunning recreation of a time and place.
It is authentic in every sense of the word.
In Haynes' telling of the tragic tale of the Whitaker family, the 50's are brought to roaring life, albeit a quiet roar. With subtle textures that provoke powerful emotions, Haynes strings his actors, and the audience, along through each thoughtfully constructed frame.
Cathy and Frank Whitaker have a seemingly perfect life. Frank is a hardworking businessman who provides for his family better than most. He is likable and respected and loving. Cathy takes care of her children impeccably, making sure that she never neglects her home or her husband; and talk about hospitable. What seems so lovely on the surface is about to come to a crashing halt when Frank's secret life (involving men) is uncovered and Cathy is presented with a troubling choice. As she struggles to accept (and change) her husband she strikes up a friendship with Raymond, an African American gardener who comforts her and makes her feel a warmth her husband has stolen from her. The community is less than enthused about Cathy's choices, even her best friend and confidant Eleanor refuses to understand what Cathy is going through.
Haynes brilliantly captures a society that doesn't quite know how to accept what it cannot bring itself to understand.
The film is propelled forward by some brilliant performances, especially from Quaid and Moore.
Julianne Moore is often toted as the rightful owner of the 2002 Lead Actress Oscar. She lost that night to Nicole Kidman in a performance that was mere gimmick as far as I'm concerned (and I really love Kidman, but not in that film). For me, 2002 is all about Diane Lane, but Julianne Moore is absolutely stunning as Cathy, a true revelation. Her style of acting lends itself perfectly to this type of film. I have always said that Moore is a very mannered actress. She can appear very theatrical which can lead her performances to feel stiff and unnatural. In this type of a film, those unnatural mannerisms bleed such truth into her character's emotional struggling. She appears desperate to contain herself, prim and proper like she is expected to be, yet her fragility is seen as her body shakes with every word. She is mesmerizing as she attempts to make her voice heard without overstepping her boundaries; conveying a sense of self entitlement even when it is expected that she have none.
For me though, this film is all about Dennis Quaid. His riveting portrayal of a man condemned by his own emotions is just stunning to watch. Some have complained that he never really allows us to see why he was such a well loved man to begin with, but the film really uses his character to point out the major flaws in society at that time. Nice or not, Frank was a caretaker, a provider and a handsome man. He had wealth, charm and intellect. He was a prime catch, and so he was regarded as well liked despite his apparent flaws. He is perceived as one thing even though his very presence contradicts it. It should also be stated that the film opens at the beginning of an unraveling so-to-speak, with Frank's secret on the verge of exposure and his emotional rollercoaster reaching it's pitfall point. Quaid is just extremely captivating, moving and so invested in this performance that one nearly quivers as he delivers his heartbroken lines.
His final decision is gut wrenching for so many reasons.
The supporting cast (Quaid is supporting as well, since this is Cathy's story through and through) is miraculous, especially Patricia Clarkson, who embodies the term `supporting actress' beautifully. She has only a few scenes, but she captures a woman with a deeper sense of structure than the film lets on. There is a story behind her shattering words, even if that story is never fully explored (how dare Cathy find an out in her marriage when women like Eleanor are stuck eternally in there's). Dennis Haysbert is also very well used here, his earthy demeanor really embellishing his character's draw factor. You can't help but cozy up to him, just as Cathy does.
The film is a beautifully rendered social commentary on the controversies that surrounded a time period and that still bleed into our way of thinking today. By tackling themes such as infidelity, homosexuality and racism with such strength and apparent fearlessness, Todd Haynes created a masterpiece of modern cinema that bares a soul as old as its protagonist.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Interesting retro drama
Added 10/3/2009
The Bottom Line:
If you're one of the people who hates when people portray the 1950's as a halcyon age where everyone skipped merrily along (as long as you were white!) grooving to rock and roll, watch Far From Heaven, a recreation of Douglas Sirk's style of filmmaking that follows a prototypical 50's housewife as she discovers that her husband has homosexual tendencies and that she's attracted to a black man; it may be a bit overpraised in some quarters but it's a fine film and a worthy watch.
3/4
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Gay Spin & Propaganda against Blacks!!
Added 9/15/2009
This movie is nothing more than Hollywood spinning guilt on the Black population. It's dares to compare the discrimination Blacks face to that of Homosexuals. Homo's choose to have sex with same sex. Black have no choice in the color of their skin. So, Hollywood implies it's due to Christian faith. NOT! A terrible propaganda movie to throw Guilt upon the blacks for being a huge block of people who reject homosexuality. A slow- bad movie! Sad the discrimination of blacks and white relationships depicted, but not believable he would reject her either! Moore has no feelings when her Man goes Gay.into denial and just oh well acceptance. WOMAN DEPICTED AS STUPID! GAY is depicted as ok and as upper crust. While simply Being BLACK OR talking to a black for other than "house help or slave mentality" means he has to move out of town and you are ostracized and outcast! PURE PROPAGANDA!! APPEARS TO ATTEMPT TO ELEVATE HOMO'S ABOVE BLACKS!! BAD MOVIE, DON'T LET YOUR KIDS WATCH THIS AWFUL MOVIE!!
0 out of 13 people found this helpful.
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THESE 1-STAR REVIEWS ARE BEYOND THE PALE
Added 8/20/2009
RACISM and intolerance; that's all I see in these 1-star reviews. Of course no one will ADMIT to it, least of all to themselves. (Betcha can hardly wait to scream and yell and wave inane placards at your next Tea Party.)
FAR FROM HEAVEN is a beautifully crafted motion picture. If you grew up in the 50's and are objectively open-minded, you'll enjoy this stylish flick. Ignore the naysayers: their COMMENTS are boring and vacuous and without merit.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Tremendous Work of Art
Added 11/27/2009
Todd Haynes film Far From Heaven is such a heavenly creation for any melodrama fan. Sumptuos writing, acting, sets,costuming. They wear couture to return the tupperware!Extravagant and richly fullfilling and a deluded and ultimately disillusioned leading lady. Heartbreaking and satisfying at the same time.Long live the fifties housewife caucasian fantasy!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Heavenly...
Added 11/25/2009
For me, it is hard to review this film. There is a lot about it that touches me deeply and actually brings me to a place that is hard for me to accept. That said, the film is one of the most complete films I've ever seen, maybe THE most complete. What I mean by that is that the film has every element down to a science, from the sets to the score to the cinematography to the acting to the dialog; everything perfectly fitting within the stylistic vision direction Todd Haynes creates here. When I say stylized I should probably clear up what I mean. This is far from a visually overwhelming spectacle in the vein of Hollywood epics but is stylized in that it is a visually stunning recreation of a time and place.
It is authentic in every sense of the word.
In Haynes' telling of the tragic tale of the Whitaker family, the 50's are brought to roaring life, albeit a quiet roar. With subtle textures that provoke powerful emotions, Haynes strings his actors, and the audience, along through each thoughtfully constructed frame.
Cathy and Frank Whitaker have a seemingly perfect life. Frank is a hardworking businessman who provides for his family better than most. He is likable and respected and loving. Cathy takes care of her children impeccably, making sure that she never neglects her home or her husband; and talk about hospitable. What seems so lovely on the surface is about to come to a crashing halt when Frank's secret life (involving men) is uncovered and Cathy is presented with a troubling choice. As she struggles to accept (and change) her husband she strikes up a friendship with Raymond, an African American gardener who comforts her and makes her feel a warmth her husband has stolen from her. The community is less than enthused about Cathy's choices, even her best friend and confidant Eleanor refuses to understand what Cathy is going through.
Haynes brilliantly captures a society that doesn't quite know how to accept what it cannot bring itself to understand.
The film is propelled forward by some brilliant performances, especially from Quaid and Moore.
Julianne Moore is often toted as the rightful owner of the 2002 Lead Actress Oscar. She lost that night to Nicole Kidman in a performance that was mere gimmick as far as I'm concerned (and I really love Kidman, but not in that film). For me, 2002 is all about Diane Lane, but Julianne Moore is absolutely stunning as Cathy, a true revelation. Her style of acting lends itself perfectly to this type of film. I have always said that Moore is a very mannered actress. She can appear very theatrical which can lead her performances to feel stiff and unnatural. In this type of a film, those unnatural mannerisms bleed such truth into her character's emotional struggling. She appears desperate to contain herself, prim and proper like she is expected to be, yet her fragility is seen as her body shakes with every word. She is mesmerizing as she attempts to make her voice heard without overstepping her boundaries; conveying a sense of self entitlement even when it is expected that she have none.
For me though, this film is all about Dennis Quaid. His riveting portrayal of a man condemned by his own emotions is just stunning to watch. Some have complained that he never really allows us to see why he was such a well loved man to begin with, but the film really uses his character to point out the major flaws in society at that time. Nice or not, Frank was a caretaker, a provider and a handsome man. He had wealth, charm and intellect. He was a prime catch, and so he was regarded as well liked despite his apparent flaws. He is perceived as one thing even though his very presence contradicts it. It should also be stated that the film opens at the beginning of an unraveling so-to-speak, with Frank's secret on the verge of exposure and his emotional rollercoaster reaching it's pitfall point. Quaid is just extremely captivating, moving and so invested in this performance that one nearly quivers as he delivers his heartbroken lines.
His final decision is gut wrenching for so many reasons.
The supporting cast (Quaid is supporting as well, since this is Cathy's story through and through) is miraculous, especially Patricia Clarkson, who embodies the term `supporting actress' beautifully. She has only a few scenes, but she captures a woman with a deeper sense of structure than the film lets on. There is a story behind her shattering words, even if that story is never fully explored (how dare Cathy find an out in her marriage when women like Eleanor are stuck eternally in there's). Dennis Haysbert is also very well used here, his earthy demeanor really embellishing his character's draw factor. You can't help but cozy up to him, just as Cathy does.
The film is a beautifully rendered social commentary on the controversies that surrounded a time period and that still bleed into our way of thinking today. By tackling themes such as infidelity, homosexuality and racism with such strength and apparent fearlessness, Todd Haynes created a masterpiece of modern cinema that bares a soul as old as its protagonist.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Interesting retro drama
Added 10/3/2009
The Bottom Line:
If you're one of the people who hates when people portray the 1950's as a halcyon age where everyone skipped merrily along (as long as you were white!) grooving to rock and roll, watch Far From Heaven, a recreation of Douglas Sirk's style of filmmaking that follows a prototypical 50's housewife as she discovers that her husband has homosexual tendencies and that she's attracted to a black man; it may be a bit overpraised in some quarters but it's a fine film and a worthy watch.
3/4
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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