Written and directed by Todd Haynes, Far from Heaven (released in 2002) follows a 1950's housewife called Cathy Whitaker. At first glance, Cathy is a seemingly ordinary woman with a reasonably happy life and a good marriage. However, her life begins to fall apart as her marriage begins to crumble and racial tensions start to inflame in her town.
Cathy's husband, as she soon discovers, has been visiting gay bars and has frequent affairs with other men, which Cathy one day witnesses when she goes to his office. He eventually agrees to go to conversion therapy but grows to resent Cathy and turns to alcohol. In the meantime, racial tensions flare up in Cathy's town, much to her dismay.
Far from Heaven was only moderately financially successful, making $29 million on a budget of $13.5 million. It was, however, much more successful critically. Barbara Allen of Times (UK) loved the film and wrote in their classic review that "With a classic storytelling style bordering on corniness, a deft tragicomic touch and a heroic refusal to use the safety net of irony, Haynes has managed to produce something of a gem."
