Everything is right in Far From Heaven, Todd Haynes’s homage love letter to the long-forgotten era of 50’s melodramas. It is the best film of 1957 that was never made. Just from watching this near-flawless masterpiece, you can tell that Haynes is a natural director/writer.
The always-wonderful, Academy Award nominated Julianne Moore (Safe, Boogie Nights, and The End of the Affair) delivers the best performance of her career, bringing texture, heart, soul, and credible emotion to a role that could have easily been overrated (if Haynes had cast the wrong actress).
After The Rookie, Dennis Quaid (Traffic) once again proves that he can act, beautifully. His portrayal of Frank Whitaker is heartbreaking, and almost difficult to watch. Although I have never seen Dennis Haysbert (TV’s “24”) in anything before, but I would like to see more of him, as he is a very talented actor, with more than a touch of charisma.
Patricia Clarkson (The Green Mile) is also particularly amusing in the brief but effective role of Eleanor, Cathy’s best friend.
Even those who have never seen Douglas Sirk’s work will appreciate this
film. In fact, most movie buffs will be in paradise. Haynes has brought back (and even embellished on) a certain style of cinematography that has since been lost. It is the style of bringing emotions out of the
characters using subtle music, facial expressions, and lighting effects, as opposed to dialogue.
Who would have known that a throwback to such a handkerchief-required genre would be so emotionally fulfilling? This film hits all of the rights spots in many different aspects. Great acting, tender script, lush musical score (courtesy of Elmer Bernstein), gorgeous costumes, ravishing production design, sumptuous lighting, brilliant direction… What more could you ask for? Unlike the overrated and completely artificial, Best Picture winner (?!), A Beautiful Mind, Far From Heaven really took my breath away, and introduced me to a style of filmmaking that I have never seen before.
P.S. – Did I mention that this is the best film of the year?
