It is the fall of 1957. The Whitakers, the very picture of a suburban family, make their home in Hartford, Connecticut. Their daily existences are characterized by carefully observed family etiquette, social events, and an overall desire to keep up with the Joneses.

Cathy Whitaker (played by Julianne Moore) is the homemaker, wife and mother. Frank Whitaker (played by Dennis Quaid) is the breadwinner, husband and father. Together they have the perfect '50s life: healthy kids and social prominence.

Then one night she surprises her husband Frank having sex with another man, and her tidy world starts spinning out of control.

Fearing the consequences of revealing her pain and confusion to anyone in her own social circle, she finds unexpected comfort and friendship with her African-American gardener, Raymond Deagan (played by Dennis Haysbert).

This is a socially taboo relationship that leads to the further disintegration of life as she knew it. Despite Cathy and Frank's struggle to keep their marriage afloat, the reality of his homosexuality and her feelings for Raymond open a painful, if more honest, chapter in their lives.

Cathy's interactions with Raymond; her best friend Eleanor Fine; and her maid, Sybil, reflects the upheaval in her life. Cathy is faced with choices that spur gossip within the community, and change several lives forever.

In Far from Heaven, Cathy’s husband Frank, played by Dennis Quaid, is forced to finally admit to his homosexuality when his wife discovers his feelings. Director Haynes comments: "At the time, homosexuality was considered an illness. Even in the most civil and well-educated circles, that was considered the tolerant way of looking at the condition."

Yet when I did research on homosexuality and its treatment at that particular time, I was surprised. You think of the ’50s, you assume shock treatment and all of these horrific, panicky things because we think of the ’50s as so patently repressive. In fact, there were breakthroughs in the late ’40s and in some writings, doctors weresaying that this was not a sickness and that you really can’t change it. So it was actually more progressive than I thought.

Written by: Stephanie

The film was amazingly well-done: beautifully acted, directed, and shot.

Written by: Brian Wright

Cathy Whitaker: So often we fail in that kind of love, the kind that makes us abandon our lives and plans, all for one brief touch of Venus.

Frank Whitaker: I know it's wrong because it makes me feel despicable.

Cathy Whitaker: You're all man to me! All man...

Frank Whitaker: How about this girl getting her husband another drink?
Cathy Whitaker: Don't you think you've had enough, dear?
Frank Whitaker: No, honey, I don't think I've had enough!

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