Todd Haynes’s ‘Far from Heaven’ is a classic piece of cinema, made with almost perfect detail.
It’s hard to imagine a more appropriate title. At first, Cathy’s life resembles heaven. She is a beautiful woman living a upper middle class lifestyle, with the best of her marriages. By the endof the film. after she discovers her husband’s infidelity, and her own feelings for the Afro-American house gardener, Cathy’s life has truly moved far from heaven.

In the true style of drama cum tragedy Cathy slides further and further into a corner. In the fifties a woman like Cathy had few choices. What gives ‘Far from Heaven’ its poignancy is the grace and stoicism with which Cathy bears her much ‘leaner’ life.

Julianne Moore is achingly beautiful as a woman trying to swim against the tide building up against her. Dennis Quaid as her self centred, tormented husband gives a haunting portrayal. Dennis Haysbert as gardener Raymond is a character full of gentle strength.

Todd Haynes combines the main production elements well to produce the classic dramatic feel. Ed Lachman’s vivid cinematography, the lush orchestral music, and the performances are finely tuned.