Far From Heaven

Name: Far From Heaven
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: November 8, 2002
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Dennis Haysbert, Dennis Quaid, Julianne Moore

2002

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 85 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 85 Ratings

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Far From Heaven

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: November 8, 2002 | PG-13

Starring: Dennis Haysbert, Dennis Quaid, Julianne Moore

Summary: An idyllic 1950s married couple faces social taboos of homosexuality and interracial relationships -- but at great cost.

Director: Todd Haynes

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 107 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Steven Rea

The movie is, start to finish, candy-colored angst. Read full review

100

Michael Wilmington

There's an incongruous but ravishing beauty in Far From Heaven, and in its three excellent central performances, that counteracts the seeming kitschiness of the story. Read full review

100

Wesley Morris

This is a love letter from one auteur to another that doesn't feel like a term paper. Instead, Far From Heaven is an honest-to-God drama with resonance all its own. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Haynes makes it possible to forget all the layers at work and simply be swept up in the story's emotions. As in Sirk's films, these characters live and breathe within the film's exaggerated reality, thanks to rich performances by Haysbert, Quaid, and especially Moore. Read full review

Jack Mathews

May be the year's most derivative film, but it's also the most original. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

If it's ultimately a failure -- and I think it is -- it's still worth seeing, because it's the most ambitious and magnificent failure in recent memory. That, in a sense, qualifies it as a certain kind of "good movie." Read full review

Stephen Hunter

The movie has the sense of being embalmed, or pickled. With its stilted dialogue not quite kitschy enough to be funny and not quite authentic enough to be realistic, the whole movie feels as if it's taking place in formaldehyde. Read full review

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User Reviews

beingryanjude

Aug 27, 2014

Far From Heaven is a triumph on all accounts--it's art direction, the writing, everything. With a beguiling performance from Julianne Moore, this is one of the most honest and daring films of late.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

PhoeboBuffay

Oct 5, 2013

Beautiful, tough and sublime film.
Julianne Moore did her best job. This movie warms your heart because every scene is perfect. At the end I was like: "WOW! Awesome, amazing, touchful, maravillo."

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

smijatov

Aug 26, 2011

"Far From Heaven" could be considered to be an "experimental" film, to be truthful. It is a study and a replica of the great America melodramas of the 1950s, which is the time period the film is set in. Hayes, the director, has clearly done that intentionally, basically pretending that his"Far From Heaven" could be considered to be an "experimental" film, to be truthful. It is a study and a replica of the great America melodramas of the 1950s, which is the time period the film is set in. Hayes, the director, has clearly done that intentionally, basically pretending that his film was made in the 1950s. With an excellent screenplay touching upon the ever-relevant issues of racism and homosexuality, the story is rather unpredictable and extremely engaging. The cinematography is absolutely phenomenal, which works exquisitely with the stunning art direction and costume design. Visually, the film is simply beautiful - possibly one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. The acting, as well, is superb, especially the leading trio - Moore, Quaid and Haysbert. Julianne Moore is pitch-perfect in this role that has gained her even more critical acclaim than any other previous role. Quaid has a restrained, but effective performance, just as Haysbert does. One can criticise the film for being "over the top" or "fake" or on such grounds, but what it comes down to is that this film is an homage to the melodramas of the 1950s and is emulating the same. And the act is quite effective and convincing. One of the best and most beautiful and moving films I have ever seen!… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

LarryM.

Oct 11, 2005

A great film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Spangle

Jun 19, 2016

A lavishly designed period piece from director Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven is a heartbreaking look at the taboo nature of interracial relationships and homosexuality in 1950s Connecticut. With fantastic performances from Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, and Dennis Haysbert, Far From Heaven isA lavishly designed period piece from director Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven is a heartbreaking look at the taboo nature of interracial relationships and homosexuality in 1950s Connecticut. With fantastic performances from Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, and Dennis Haysbert, Far From Heaven is a great take on 1950s melodramas and sports all the expected romance, drama, and tearjerking elements of the genre. The film has fantastic production design and costume design, which both perfectly fit the period. Additionally, the actors have great chemistry with one another and were clearly quite well directed by Haynes as they never overact, as can be the case in melodramas. Overall, Far From Heaven is a tragic, romantic, and incredibly smart period piece that presents great examples of the societal problems of the time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EricL

Jul 16, 2007

This film is very difficult to score - I do agree with one reviewer who found it very unlikely that Dennis Quaid's character would just dump Cathy and live with a man - because he definitely would lose his job and everything - in that era men did those things on the side while still This film is very difficult to score - I do agree with one reviewer who found it very unlikely that Dennis Quaid's character would just dump Cathy and live with a man - because he definitely would lose his job and everything - in that era men did those things on the side while still being married. However, I admire very much what was attempted in this movie, and for the most part they succeeded. Julienne Moore is absolutely brilliant, and the reason she did not win the oscar is because the idiots in Hollywood always overlook understated performances - and yet these performances are actually more difficult (See Mary Tyler Moore in "Ordinary People"). Moore is perfect in every scene as she watches her perfect wold unravel and struggles between the part of herself that wants to scream outloud, and the other part of her that has been perfectly honed over the years to be the ideal suburban upscale wife - it is a subtle and brilliant performance. The script is not perfect, and there were a few minor scenes that did not ring true- but the overall package is amazing - the perfect cast from top to bottom, most of the script, the acting, cinematography, directing, score, everything about this movies pays homage to a by-gone era of American Films and does it with taste and class. When thinking about the 50's you have to remember that the 50's (as any decade) varied depending on where you lived and how you were raised - and this movie comes pretty close to what real life was like for these people - they were literally trapped inside a nightmare which they (and their contemporaries) had created - it's no wonder that a few years later their children would be burning their bras and protesting wars. Far from Heaven is indeed a great movie because it has such high aspirations - a movie from 2002 that dares to style itself after a 50's drama and to do so via (gasp) a subtle script rather than relying on special effects and things blowing up etc. For the most part they achieved their goal and are to be commended for their efforts. This is a beautiful film worth watching if only to appreciate the efforts of all involved.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AllisonR.

Feb 21, 2006

Predictable movie. lacked focus while trying to tackle two huge themes (homosexuality & racism) at the same time... Didn't enjoy the acting in this movie, extremely sterile and contrived. Anybody else notice the boeing jet fly by on the reflection in the woman's car, while she was Predictable movie. lacked focus while trying to tackle two huge themes (homosexuality & racism) at the same time... Didn't enjoy the acting in this movie, extremely sterile and contrived. Anybody else notice the boeing jet fly by on the reflection in the woman's car, while she was watching them go into the black resturant? Can't believe that made the cut!… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful

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14	#14 Best Movie of 2002
85	#85 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
88	#88 Most Shared Movie of 2002