The model marriage of Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) in 1950s Hartford is depicted in television ads, and a magazine features photographs of Cathy as a model homemaker and citizen. Yet, behind the curtains of their dream home, Cathy and Frank hide scandalous secrets. Frank has been masquerading his homosexuality and is seeing a doctor for a heterosexual conversion. Meanwhile, Cathy finds solace in her gardener, Raymond (Dennis Haysbert), a black man about whom Cathy must conceal her growing feelings, since simply being seen with him is cause for scandal.

Filmmaker Douglas Sirk employed the trappings of the melodrama to satirize and criticize narrow minds in the 1950s status quo with films such as ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS. Todd Haynes (SAFE) uses Sirk's highly stylized universe to critique society half a century later in FAR FROM HEAVEN. The film uses thematic elements of Sirk's such as isolating characters through windows and vivid, symbolic colors and flowers. It also applies Sirkian plot devices such as gossiping neighbors and demonizing television. Attacking prejudice, Haynes' methods are particularly effective as he uses an antiquated style of filmmaking to shed light on societal problems that are pervasive even in the 21st Century.

Theatrical release: November 8, 2002 (NY/LA)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - French
DTS Surround 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Trailers
Making Of: "The Making of FAR FROM HEAVEN"
Audio Commentary: Todd Haynes - Director
Featurette:
1. Filmmaker's Experience (Q&A Session)
2. Anatomy of a Scene
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus

Julianne Moore: Actress, THE HOURS, FAR FROM HEAVEN, BOOGIE NIGHTS
Dennis Quaid: American actor, FREQUENCY (2000)
Dennis Haysbert: American Actor/Love Field
Patricia Clarkson: American actress
James Rebhorn: Supporting Actor
Celia Weston: American Actress
Jordan Puryear: Actor, FAR FROM HEAVEN (2002)
Lindsay Andretta: Actor, FAR FROM HEAVEN (2002)
Ryan Ward: Actor, FAR FROM HEAVEN (2002)
Matt Malloy: Actor/"Surviving Desire"

Todd Haynes: American Director/Editor

Jody Patton: Producer
Christine Vachon: 

Todd Haynes: American Director/Editor

"...FAR FROM HEAVEN is nothing short of a masterpiece....It seems, in a single visionary stroke, to have taken the spirit of American independent cinema and brought it full circle back to the soul of vintage Hollywood..."
"...It's a bold experiment....[With a] terrific look and perfectly pitched performances..."
"...[Moore gives an] extraordinarily nuanced performance..."
"Julianne Moore is excellent."
"Quaid won numerous awards....Arguably his richest performance."
"...Ardent and intelligent....Mr. Haynes is fiercely devoted to his actors....It discover the aching, desiring humanity in a genre -- and a period....In a word, it's divine..."
"...An accomplished marriage of elaborate style and content....The film is a jewel on every technical level. Its visual sumptuousness seduces from the opening frame to the last..."
"...Haynes gets the look and feel right...FAR FROM HEAVEN also has emotional force..."
"...A gorgeously overheated imitation of life..."