TrueHello
Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
Kaydan Christian
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Fleur
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
Dalbert Pringle
From a purely visual perspective - Far From Heaven is a truly mesmerizing "retro-film" experience. With excellent camerawork, lighting, and meticulous attention to detail, this super-lush movie production is a dazzling re-creation of a 1950's soap opera "dreamworld" set in the upper middle-class suburbs of Hartford, Connecticut.Far From Heaven is a finely-tuned weeper about forbidden desires, denial and racial boundaries. Its story peels back the layers from the "Stepford Wife" Syndrome of the 1950's that has lodged itself firmly into our collective consciousness. Far From Heaven dares to suggest that "soap opera" might actually be regarded as something socially relevant.When seriously considering this film's storyline - Far Form Heaven really is 'far-from-heaven', alright - That's for sure - In fact, from the main character's point of view, it's all pretty well close to hell.
Mamabadger56
Far From Heaven, while entertaining in its own right, would be especially enjoyable to fans of Fifties movies. It is not just set in the Fifties, it appears to be a Fifties movie, in its look, plot structure, even acting styles. Present-day attitudes are overlaid on the story, but very subtly. This is more than a tribute to Fifties films; it is a Fifties film. The story itself is typical of films from that era. A seemingly happy, conventional, middle class Connecticut couple experiences turmoil when the husband (Dennis Quaid) confesses to sexual confusion. His wife (beautifully played by Julianne Moore) turns to a black friend for friendship and comfort, which shocks their circle of acquaintances and causes her seemingly perfect life to be thrown into confusion. It is a well written, consistently engaging story with a good cast. Making it as a re-created Fifties movie adds irony and interest. A very enjoyable film.
AfroPixFlix
Great film that transplants modern day complexities into the idyllic settings of 1950's films. Actually, it brings to the surface issues that were greatly suppressed, yet existent, in that era. Of course, everyone should know that racial discrimination was both overt and pervasive in every corner of America. But what about homosexuality? Probably so, but hardly tackled by the cinema. Borrowing heavily from Douglas Sirk's 1955 film ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS, starring, ironically, the closet gay Rock Hudson, FAR FROM HEAVEN has a deliciously saturated color palette and languishing camera lens to tease out the storyline. Well-acted by the trio of Moore, Quaid, and Haysbert and a bevy of idiosyncratic bit players, this is one film you shouldn't avoid. ALL THAT HEAVEN was a good template for Haynes to use, as it gave white viewers an opportunity to have a "black experience," by showing the lunacy of discrimination based on things that make no difference. FAR FROM HEAVEN brings that experience to a new level. Six-forked AfroPixFlix says don't let this gem stray far from your queue.
OllieSuave-007
This is a powerful drama starring Julianne Moore as Cathy Whittaker who is seemingly happy with her husband Frank and their children. However, things take an unfortunate turn when Frank is being unfaithful and Cathy ends up having a crush on Raymond Deagan (Dennis Haysbert).As this story was set in the 1950s, racial tension was still high. You feel the negative effects it had on the characters, as Cathy feels an unwanted presence in a black neighborhood while visiting Raymond, and, at the same time, distancing herself with her white friends at home. To rub salt in the wound, her husband is having an affair with another man.This movie's title fits Cathy's life well; she finds it hard to be with Raymond because of racial tensions and her inconsiderate and jerk of a husband left her and their kids with for man. The superb acting contributed to the overall drama, but the course of events and bummer climax really leaves you in a state of depression. There were also wasn't much in character development and not much redeeming qualities in any of them. Grade C-
