Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven

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Far From Heaven is a timeless, beautiful and haunting drama, and no other description could be more apt. The sets are lusciously decorated and the cinematography is flawless. The devil is in the details... and the saturated colours! May it be the falling Autumn leaves, yellowed with age, or the distraught expression of a woman trapped in time, the director gives us a holistic view of the scenario. We can appreciate a scene, from many angles, and I'm not just referring to the visuals.

 These visuals are accompanied by Bernstein's heavenly score. The film begins with this score, its soft melodic moments are contrasted with crashing crescendos, and even before the first leave falls, we know we're in for heartbreak.

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 The film encapsulates the look and feel of any great '50s picture. This is an ingenious artistic decision, because this glossy and glamorous superficiality reflects the *perfect* '50s lifestyle. We see a wealthy little couple with their perfect little kids in their splendorous little garden with their decadent little parties. This is Heaven. Then the director peels back the layers to reveal their hidden turmoil. The characters are torn - engrossed by their inner darkness and despair. They are alienated and disorientated by the social stigma towards their course for true love. In every sense of the word, they are trapped.

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 Perhaps we have grown since then, and now we can openly discuss these stigmas, but they still exist, and let's be honest, the glossy and glamorous superficiality is still prioritized. The only difference is that now we can artistically explore what lies beneath. Actually, generally, we're a lot more accepting as a society, but I despise any remotely optimistic thought. Nevertheless, the demons that we keep hidden and our instinctive desire for love are intrinsically human, and that is why this film is entirely deserving of the label timeless.

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Needless to say, Julianne Moore's portrayal of the *perfect* '50s housewife is superb; she is a loving mother and wife, she spends her days wearing gorgeous gowns, planning events and grooming her family. She is  devoted to her husband, and is the epitome of the hospitable hostess. Many actresses could portray these elements of the character just as successfully, but not many would be able to convey the longing and pain that burdens her soul. Julianne Moore can do this with one look. No wonder she was nominated for two Oscars in that one year.

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Dennis Quaid gives an equally empathetic and nuanced performance, and yet the Academy chose to snub him, wonder why? Far From Heaven is an evocative drama of victims, Haynes' detailed vision transports us to a world of prolonged secret sufferings - a place Far From Heaven - and I thank him for that.

 Love y'all.

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