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Far from Heaven [Region 2] | ![Far from Heaven [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AlSmCNmtL._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Todd Haynes
Actors: Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis
Category: DVD
Buy Used: $7.34
Rating:  221 reviews
Sales Rank: 161144
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 2
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Running Time: 107 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5017239191909
ASIN: B0000C88MR
Theatrical Release Date: November 22, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This uniquely beautiful film--from one of the smartest and most idiosyncratic of contemporary directors, Todd Haynes (Safe, Velvet Goldmine)--takes the lush 1950s visual style of so-called women's pictures (particularly those of Douglas Sirk, director of Imitation of Life and Magnificent Obsession) to tell a story that mixes both sexual and racial prejudice. Julianne Moore, an amazing fusion of vulnerability and will power, plays a housewife whose husband (Dennis Quaid) has a secret gay life. When she finds solace in the company of a black gardener (Dennis Haysbert), rumors and peer pressure destroy any chance she has at happiness. It's astonishing how a movie with such a stylized veneer can be so emotionally compelling; the cast and filmmakers have such an impeccable command of the look and feel of the genre that every moment is simultaneously artificial and deeply felt. Far from Heaven is ingenious and completely engrossing. --Bret Fetzer
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| Customer Reviews: Read 216 more reviews...
 Far From Parody March 7, 2009
David Baldwin (Philadelphia,PA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's obvious that director Todd Haynes used the work of Douglas Sirk as a reference point with "Far From Heaven". It's a homage of Sirk that isn't reduced to parody unlike the work of, say, Brian DePalma and his Hitchcock obsession. Granted, the film is set in the white picket fence suburban fifties but strip away the beehives and the tailfins there is alot here that can be reflected in contemporary society. Haynes succeeds in using Sirk as a template but distinguishing himself in the process. As daring a director that Sirk was he couldn't fully explore certain themes that Haynes has the luxury of. Where Haynes succeeds best is in his handling of race relations and not just the platonic one between Kathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) and Raymond Deegan (Dennis Haysbert). Not to diminish the work of Moore and Haysbert because they are excellent here particularly in the heartbreaking final scenes of the movie. Two scenes come to my mind that put the nature of racism under the microscope. One is at a cocktail party congregated by ivory tower liberals who make thoughtless comments oblivious to the sensitivities of the African-American servers. Another is at a swimming pool in Miami Beach where the bathers flee after a young African-American boy unknowingly dangles his feet in the water. I thought Haynes was a little tentative in exploring homosexuality. Dennis Quaid is fine as Frank Whitaker whose not so latent homosexuality comes at the most inopportune time but I just didn't feel the character was as fully developed as he might have been. Otherwise, "Far From Heaven" is one of the best films of recent years and probably of this decade.
 A great drama, with wonderful performances...Some spoilers March 2, 2009
Val (RI)
What would you do to keep your seemingly perfect life in tact? What if it was the 1950's and you find out your husband is a homosexual? Dennis Quaid is said husband and Julianne Moore is the perfect housewife, trying to stabilize an unspeakable situation. It may seem stereotypical, and in some regards, it is, but this is a solid film with wonderful performances that should not be missed.
The plot is simple. Julianne Moore's character catches her husband in act of unfaithfulness, and not just that, but with another man-at work. She doesn't freak out too much. Quad's character promises to get help, and she smiles and says thank you. Throughout the film, she attempts to put on a happy face. Her character is very popular-she has many good-standing friends, she have 2 children, a gorgeous house-basically, everything anyone could ever want.
Her fascade soon starts to crumble, especially when she becomes friends with her gardener, who happens to be black. People stare, gossip and worse, when the two are seen going into a diner together, her husband finds out, and in an extremeley hypocritical fashion, begins slamming her for threatening their family's reputation. She never retaliates, trying to keep the peace, no matter that her husband is the one threatening their reputation by having an affair with another man. Things calm down and everything seems dandy again.
The film goes through some up and downs, all the while anchored by Julianne Moore's brilliant performance. In fact, I have never seen her act better, or look better, for that matter. Again, she may come off as a tad stereotypical, but I don't think it's stretching the truth that much, especially for that time and location.
The ending is a tad unresolved, but I felt satisfied, in a way. I don't think it could have ended any other way. I thought the director did a fantastic job, not just with the script and plot, but with the look and feel of the film. It looks ridiculously authentic, from the clothing, to the cars and props and even the start and end credits looked genuine. This is certainly one of the prettiest films I've seen that takes place in that particular era. It made it that more impressive and authentic.
I do recommend this to anyone who loves a good melodrama. It is not graphic by any means so I really think it would appeal to a wide variety of different people. I was pleasantly surprised myself.
Knocking on Heaven's Door January 6, 2009
Amaranth (Northern California)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"Far From Heaven" is like a perfectly cut cubic zirconium. It looks like a diamond--but it's not. In the same way,"Far from Heaven" is a '50s "women's film" a la Douglas Sirk,but it's not. It's Todd Haynes' homage. Julianne Moore is luminous as a '50s housewife caught between the two men in her life--her beloved husband (Dennis Quaid) and her black gardener whom she befriends (Dennis Haysbert)
"Far from Heaven" is retro with an edge--Dennis Quaid embodies gay issues as the closeted husband. Dennis Haysbert embodies the racial issues of the time that still exist. There's a timelessness, but also a contemporary slant. Dennis Quaid,usually macho,is perfect as the closeted,conflicted husband. Haysbert is wonderful as Moore's wise friend. Julianne Moore is especially poignant and powerful in her portrayal. As a woman, she loses everything due to societal taboos. She becomes a stigmatized divorcee because of her husband's forbidden inclinations; she is isolated once Haysbert says their racial differences are irreconcilable.
"Far from Heaven" is melodrama. It stands as one of Haynes' best works and proof that Moore is one of the great actresses of our time. "Far from Heaven" is celestial!
Radical Acceptance...This will help you get through it ! December 4, 2008
M. Coles (Rochester,N.Y.)
If you ever asked yourself as we all have done. Why do people treat each other the way they do ?...you need look no further ! Watch this film ! You won't have to ask your therapist, your girlfriend or anyone else. What ever your going through... I understand now why bad things happen to good people !
A film to make you smile, cry and think November 12, 2008
Ankur Mukherjee
'Far from heaven' the film throws light on situations, secret affairs and taboos. The film takes you right to the mid 50's, the costums, the settings, the whole atmosphere is that of the late 1950's. Julianne Moore gives an outstanding performence, you can see her expressing so much through her eyes alone. Dennis Quaid was excellent too, you can see the plight in which the charecters are. Nevertheless, Dennis Haysbert delivers an excellent performence as well, the chemistry between Haysbert and Moore is quite strong in the film and you can smell the attraction in the air. The conclusion is reasonable. One of the very few drama based films worth appreciating, watch it for the strong charecter developments and chemistries, watch is specially for Julianne Moore, words alone wont describe this wonderfull film.
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