Far from Heaven
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Far From Heaven | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
|
| Directed by | Todd Haynes |
| Produced by | Jody Patton Christine Vachon |
| Written by | Todd Haynes |
| Starring | Julianne Moore Dennis Quaid Dennis Haysbert Patricia Clarkson Ryan Ward |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Cinematography | Edward Lachman |
| Editing by | James Lyons |
| Distributed by | Focus Features |
| Release date(s) | September 1, 2002 |
| Running time | 107 mins |
| Country | France United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $13,500,000 (estimated) |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Far from Heaven is a 2002 film written and directed by Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Ryan Ward, Dennis Haysbert, and Patricia Clarkson.
The film tells the story of Cathy Whitaker, a 1950s housewife, living in suburban Hartford as she sees her seemingly perfect life begin to fall apart. It is done in the style of a 1950s, Douglas Sirk film (especially All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life), dealing with complex contemporary issues such as race, sexuality and class.
The film was nominated for several Academy Awards: for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Julianne Moore), Best Original Screenplay (Todd Haynes), Best Cinematography (Edward Lachman), and Best Original Score (Elmer Bernstein).
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Set in suburban 1950s Connecticut, the film is about Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore), the perfect wife, mother, and homemaker. Cathy is married to Frank (Dennis Quaid), a successful executive at Magnatech. The film begins with Cathy preparing for her annual party with her best friend, Eleanor Fine (Patricia Clarkson). One day, Cathy spies an unknown man walking through her garden. He turns out to be Raymond Deagon (Dennis Haysbert), the son of Cathy's late gardener.
Frank is soon being forced to stay late at the office, swamped with work. One evening, however, we see him enter a gay bar. Meanwhile, Cathy and Raymond's relationship has been growing, as they develop a friendship. On one particular night, when Frank is being forced to work late, Cathy decides to wrap up his dinner and take it to him. Unfortunately, she walks in on him and another man passionately kissing. Frank then begins to see psychiatrist Dr. Bowman (James Rebhorn) in the hope of being "converted back" to heterosexuality, but his relationship with Cathy is strained, and he turns to alcohol. Unable to comprehend the destruction of her marriage, Cathy turns to Raymond for comfort. She sees him at an art show, where she spends much of her day talking to him, setting the town ablaze with gossip.
As Cathy sees her once idyllic world falling apart, she begins to fall in love with Raymond, and their evident relationship has unpleasant consequences for him and his child. At the same time, Frank, unable to suppress his homosexual desires, falls in love with another man and seeks a divorce from Cathy.
[edit] Cast
- Julianne Moore - Cathy Whitaker
- Dennis Quaid - Frank Whitaker
- Dennis Haysbert - Raymond Deagan
- Patricia Clarkson - Eleanor Fine
- Ryan Ward - David Whitaker
- Viola Davis - Sybil
- James Rebhorn - Dr. Bowman
- Celia Weston - Mona Lauder
- Lindsay Andretta - Janice Whitaker
- Jordan Puryear - Sarah Deagan
[edit] Style
 |
This section does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Far From Heaven is made entirely in the style of many '50s films, notably those of Douglas Sirk. Haynes created color pallettes for every scene in the film and was very careful and particular in his choices. Haynes emphasizes experience with color, in such scenes as one in which Cathy, Eleanor, and their friends are all dressed in reds, oranges, yellows, browns, and greens. Haynes also plays with the color green, using it to light forbidden and mysterious scenes. He employs this effect both in the scene where Frank visits the gay bar and when Cathy goes to the restaurant in the black part of town.
Haynes also uses shots and angles that would have been standard in Sirk's films and era. Cinematographer Edward Lachman created the 1950s "look" with the same type of lighting equipment (incandescent), lighting techniques, and lens filters that would have been used in a 1950s-era melodrama. The script employs over-the-top, melodramatic dialogue, and Elmer Bernstein's score is reminiscent of those he had composed 40 and 50 years earlier.
In the commentary, Haynes was also influenced by Rainer Werner Fassbinder's film Ali: Fear Eats the Soul. Like Fassbinder's film, Haynes portrays feelings of alienation and awkwardness. For example, instead of cutting to the next scene, Haynes would linger on a character for a few seconds longer than comfortable to the viewer, just like the technique Fassbinder used. Also, there are a few scenes which are an obvious homage to Ali like the scene where Cathy and Raymond are dancing at a Black diner (in which Cathy feels very awkward) and the line "You're beautiful" is also a direct homage to Ali.
[edit] Awards
Far From Heaven was nominated for 4 Academy Awards as well as winning 71 other awards and being nominated for another 30. In the Fourth Annual Village Voice Film Critics' Poll, Far From Heaven was voted the best picture of 2002.
[edit] Notable awards
Academy Awards
Nominations
- Best Actress in a Leading Role - Julianne Moore
- Best Original Screenplay - Todd Haynes
- Best Cinematography - Edward Lachman
- Best Original Score - Elmer Bernstein
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Wins
- Best Picture
- Best Director - Todd Haynes
- Best Actress - Julianne Moore
- Best Supporting Actor - Dennis Quaid
- Best Cinematography - Edward Lachman
- Best Original Score - Elmer Bernstein
Nominations
- Best Supporting Actress - Patricia Clarkson
- Best Screenplay - Todd Haynes
Golden Globes
Nominations
- Best Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) - Julianne Moore
- Best Supporting Actor - Dennis Quaid
- Best Screenplay - Todd Haynes
- Best Original Score - Elmer Bernstein
Independent Spirit Awards
Wins
- Best Feature
- Best Actress -Julianne Moore
- Best Supporting Actor - Dennis Quaid
- Best Director - Todd Haynes
- Best Cinematography - Edward Lachman
National Board of Review
Wins
- Best Actress - Julianne Moore
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Wins
- Best Film
- Best Director - Todd Haynes
- Best Supporting Actor - Dennis Quaid
- Best Supporting Actress - Patricia Clarkson
- Best Cinematography - Edward Lachman
Online Film Critics Society Awards
Wins
- Best Actress - Julianne Moore
- Best Supporting Actor - Dennis Quaid
- Best Original Screenplay - Todd Haynes
- Best Cinematography - Edward Lachman
- Best Art Direction
- Best Costume Design - Sandy Powell
- Best Original Score - Elmer Bernstein
Nominations
- Best Picture
- Best Director - Todd Haynes
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Nominations
- Best Actress - Julianne Moore
- Best Supporting Actor - Dennis Quaid
Writers Guild of America Awards
Nominations
- Best Original Screenplay - Todd Haynes
[edit] Soundtrack
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
|
|||||
