Far From Heaven

I recently watched the film 'Far From Heaven' directed by Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore. It takes place in the late 1950's, which was a time of polarized gender roles and rampant racism in America. The film deals with both issues, as Kathy (Moore) falls in love with a black man (Dennis Haysbert) and her husband, Frank, (Dennis Quaid) falls in love with another man. Both characters are at the top of the social ladder at the film's opening: Kathy an envied housewife and Frank a successful businessman. However, their false personas begin to fade when Kathy catches Frank with another man. Initially, Frank seeks 'treatment' for his homosexuality, only to later succumb to his desires. Kathy, on the other hand, connects with her gardener, Raymond Deagan. Both trysts have consequences in their societies. Frank's affair is kept quiet, but Kathy is caught sneaking around town with her gardener, which makes the other housewives around town call her position of influence into question.

Ultimately, the film reminds me of R.W. Connell's theories of masculinity. Frank begins the film as part of the dominant masculinity, but soon accepts he is part of the subordinate group when he understands that he is gay. Raymond, meanwhile, has always been marginalized due to his race and class. He and Kathy can never be together, for their society deems it to be unacceptable. Even though he is the one male character in the film who actually cares for Kathy, he cannot be with her. In several instances, complicit men who are not part of the dominant order keep the balance of power in check by threatening Raymond and his daughter. I suggest this film for anyone who is interested in seeing Connell's theories put into practice (or to anyone who enjoys a good cinema). It's on Netflix streaming!