Excellent adaptation.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Far From Heaven (2002): Dir: Todd Haynes / Cast: Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis: Intriguing film examining the values of 1950's lifestyles in comparison to modern day. It also regards views and expectations of a high profile marriage and the destructive nature that unravels it. Julianne Moore organizes community events but is shocked when she catches her husband kissing another man. She confides in her black gardener, which leads to destructive gossip. Set in 1957 and plays off humour when words such as "Jeez" is considered foul. It also offers compelling views of race and sexuality. Well crafted by director Todd Haynes who successfully establishes the time and lifestyles and how it has changed with time. Moore is fantastic and radiant as a housewife struggling to deal with several feelings. Dennis Quaid as her husband are superb in his dilemma and. Dennis Haysbert is well cast as the gardener whom adds a new level of interest due to his race. Patricia Clarkson plays Moore's friend turned sour when she learns certain gossip. Ending is abrupt with unanswered questions. Viola Davis is featured as a maid. The children are somewhat sheltered by the identity of their father for which their mother struggles to process. Some elements are predictable while others are merely intriguing but its message indicates that our society is far from Heaven. Score: 8 / 10

Definitely, that was Julianne Moore's year, and she was robbed of her Oscar by that fake nose on Nicole Kidman. This is by far her best work ever. Dennis Quaid wasn't even nominated, although he won the New York Film Critic's Award, and he should have won, too! I won't recap the plot - many others have already, but will emphasize how stunning the film is visually. Not a false note anywhere - Patricia Clarkson - hit all the right notes! Dennis Haysbert - why is not a bigger star? The costumes - perfect! In fact, my mother HAD that exact coat of Miss Moore's. I actually cannot praise this film highly enough. Obviously an homage to those glorious 50's and 60's films of Douglas Sirk, but with two very contemporary twists - man, if you've never seen it - see it ASAP! If you have seen it - see it again, and pretend as I do, Julianne Moore, in that gorgeous green gown, that year hearing her name and stepping up to accept that statuette that certainly should have been hers!

I've never seen the Douglas Sirk melodrama films of the 1950s though they're definitely on my to see list. Far From Heaven is a clear homage to that sub-genre of film, with some slick dialogue that feels straight out of a film-noir, and it begs the question, can this work in contemporary cinema? While some parts don't, the answer is mostly yes. It's a quietly touching film focusing on taboos of the time that seem strange yet sadly familiar to today. I love how the film always tenderly approached its issues and conflicts but it's a shame that when these come to their melodamatic boil that it sometimes feels out of place, especially as it's a homage designed to reach these moments. But I do think that's mostly due to the use of score as the acting and writing are always at their best as well as the magnificent lighting and cinematography. Julianne Moore gives a great subtle and utterly sincere performance that ranks among her finest but the true surprise standout is Dennis Quaid who is at his career best. Patricia Clarkson and Dennis Haysbert are delightful on the side, the only false note in the acting is the irritating misguided Ryan Ward, who plays Moore's son, but fortunately his appearance is brief.8/10

Sometimes you just feel that certain movies are just made for award ceremonies. The type of heavy handed dramas, with a melodramatic storyline, that's dealing with sensitive issues, that wants to be politically correct, with a moral in it, that's all set in a specific time period in the past. The type of movie that is always likely to get noticed and nominated for something by some big award shows, regardless of everything, as also was being the case with this movie, which actually got nominated for 4 Oscar's but it eventually won none. And rightfully so! Oh yes, I recognized this movie very well for trying to be like a big '50's melodramatic production but only problem with it was that this movie was being even more shallow and predictable than a real '50's production. Besides, this movie might had been far more relevant if it indeed got done back in the '50's but in today's light I just can't see anyone being able to take something out of this movie while watching it. And really, I think it's always a very annoying thing when movies set in the past take on today's morals and standards. So the main character in this movie is being extremely liberal concerning African Americans and homosexuality, making this movie a very political correct one, without ever explaining why this main character would feel that way, concerning all of the movie its sensitive subjects.And that was a problem all throughout as well; the movie just never handles- or builds its drama up very well. It lets things just happen without ever telling you why or how exactly. Why does the main character fall in love? Why do certain people get mad? Why do people suddenly decide to leave? For me, none of this ever became apparent while watching the movie, making this a very shallow viewing experience.Things weren't improved by the fact that the movie was being a very predictable one, from start to finish. Seriously, nothing surprising ever happened and the movie progressed in the exact same way as I kept anticipating it to do.And while the movie is trying to be very heavy and dramatic with all of its themes; nothing ever feels all that dramatic. So it's really being a melodrama without any true good drama. Perhaps it could had worked out if I cared a bit more for any of its characters but just like its story; its characters don't seem to have enough depth to them and they are not build up very well. The movie mostly relies on stereotypes, which also includes some very stereotypical characters.Another thing that highly annoyed me was the, probably deliberate, extremely melodramatic musical score by Elmer Bernstein. It made walking down a stairs sound dramatic and would often swell at points when there wasn't even all that much happening. It was distracting and annoying and it's hard to believe Bernstein even earned himself an Oscar nomination for this and sad to realize this was actually being his final movie, before his death in 2004. There still was a saving grace in this movie; Julianne Moore. It's not the type of role you normally see her play and she was totally great and convincing in her role, even though the movie itself didn't gave her an awful lot of good or interesting to do.You could also say it's being a good period piece, with its overall look and atmosphere but due to everything else, I just never could fully appreciate it.Too late, too forced and a mostly completely ineffective modern, 'old fashioned', genre movie.5/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/