Taboos explored
Far From Heaven

Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert. Rated M. RedBack DVD.

Reviewer :: Lt Simone Heyer

This movie, set in the late 1950s, explores some taboo subjects that would have been avoided had the film been made in that era.

Cathy and Frank are Mr and Mrs Magnatech. Frank works hard for a company and Cathy, a social butterfly, tends the house and children. Frank's work hours start to keep him away from home and a tendency for other men he had tried to hide returns.

Naively, Cathy thinks a few visits to a doctor and some electrotherapy will heal his homosexuality.

She befriends their coloured gardener, Raymond, whose gentle, kindly demeanour helps soothe her pain. While nothing untoward ever happens, the community turns against her and Raymond.

Cathy's best friend even gives her the cold shoulder. Apparently it's worse to have a black friend than have your husband leave you for another man.

The movie is well done. The '50s-look seems spot-on and the costumes beautiful.