Director Todd Haynes masterfully evokes the Douglas Sirk melodrama's of the 1950's without a touch of modern irony. In telling the story of a "perfect" Connecticut couple whose ideal marriage masks taboo undercurrents Haynes has totally recreated this long lost style of Hollywood storytelling.
Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert are all outstanding as three people caught in a tumultuous events of their own making. Moore is housewife Cathy Whitaker; wife, mother, housekeeper and social activist. She and her husband Frank (Quaid) are looked on as such the perfect couple that his company uses them in their advertising, Mr. & Mrs. Magnatech. But Frank has a secret that forces him to lead a double life. When Cathy learns of it she has know one to turn to. Without realizing it she turns to the comfort of the new gardener, Raymond Deagan (Haysbert).
Soon it is all over town that Cathy has been seen out with a black man and the scandal puts another strain on the already fractured marriage and has violent consequences for the Deagan family.. After a climatic party scene Cathy realizes her life may never be the same again.
The styling of this film needs to be seen to be believed. Everything is in deep saturated colors. The cinematography and editing are all in the style of a 1950's film, so some may find the lack of close-ups and quick cuts disconcerting. The director uses careful camera framing to create the emotion of the scene. In addition the lush score by Elmer Bernstein and the costumes by Sandy Powell all complete the mood.
Released in 2002 the film was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Actress for Moore.
At The Movie House rating **** stars. Highly recommended!
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