Far from Heaven

Far from Heaven is a 2002 film drama written and directed by Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Ryan Ward, Patricia Clarkson, and James Rebhorn.

Plot
Set in suburban 1950s Connecticut, the film takes on the visual tone and style of a 1950s period piece, yet openly concerns dramatic issues &mdash; race, sexuality, and class among them.

Moore plays Cathy Whitaker, a housewife in 1950s Connecticut whose seemingly idyllic life slowly falls apart. Her husband, Frank (Quaid) is a closet homosexual and alcoholic who tries to deny and overcome his sexuality, but eventually leaves her for another man. Meanwhile, she befriends her black gardener, Raymond Deagan (Haysbert), despite the racist disapproval of the townspeople. Ryan Ward plays the Whitakers' son.



Haynes later said he meant Far From Heaven as homage to the films of Douglas Sirk, especially to All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life. It was a continuation of the working relationship Haynes developed with Moore on his 1995 film Safe.

Soundtrack

 * ''See: Far from Heaven (soundtrack).

Awards
In the Fourth Annual Village Voice Film Critics' Poll, Far From Heaven was voted the best picture of 2002, and it was later nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Moore), Best Cinematography, Best Music, Original Score and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

Trivia

 * Scenes from the movie were shot in various locations around New York and New Jersey, including Bloomfield, New Jersey, Cranford, New Jersey and Yonkers, New York.


 * It is on the New York Times list of "Best 1000 Movies Ever Made."