Far From Heaven...

[fajrdrako]

Saw the movie Far From Heaven this evening. I wanted to see it because I wanted to see Julianne Moore, whom someone had suggested should play Cordelia Naismith in a hypothetical movie of the Vorkosigan novels by Lois McMaster Bujold. From the photos I saw, I thought maybe, and I was intrigued.

So I watched Far From Heaven and I couldn't see anything of Cordelia in Julianne Moore, though it may be an atypical movie to judge by. It was one of those movies that was so stylized I couldn't get into it; though it wasn't just the stylization, goodness knows I have liked many stylized movies, Sin City coming to mind in this regard. But I couldn't suspend my disbelief for this one. None of the characters seemed real to me. The only one I liked was Dennis Haysbert as Raymond Deagan, and he seemed as unreal as anyone else in the movie, he was just unreal and nice, while the others were merely ... artificial. And not very sympathetic. I thought the Julianne Moore character was pretty much hopeless. I kept thinking of The Stepford Wives.

It's a movie set in the 1950s, about the 50s, and done in the style of 50s movies, without any of the spirit of the 1950s.

So my search for an actress to play Cordelia continues.

Comments

[lilithlotr.livejournal.com]

Julianne wouldn't have been the first person to come to my mind for Cordelia, but I bet she could do it. Strong, beautiful woman.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'll have to see Julianne Moore in something else to have more of an opinion. I didn't see much character in her in this movie.

I don't (so far) have a better choice for Cordelia, though.

[lauradi7.livejournal.com]

It was supposed to be an homage to director Douglas Sirk, particularly inspired by the 1955 film "All that Heaven Allows."

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Perhaps if I saw "All That Heaven Allows" I would understand "Far from Heaven" better? If I were making a homage, I think I'd want it to have a strong purpose of its own.

Structurally and cinematographically, the movie was very interesting. Thematically, too. It was on the level of plot, dialogue and characters that I had difficulty.

[countrycousin.livejournal.com]

hmmm. I have seen her in a few things, but don't have strong recollections.

She had a strong, unCordelia role in An Ideal Husband, but presumably she's an actress. I've seen Hannibal and The End of the Affair and perhaps some others; those were all different roles and I thought they were well done.

But I highly recommend An Ideal Husband, so you could accomplish two goals with one viewing :<).

I've signed on, if that's OK. I've been very much enjoying your HH comments, but just found you from a piffle note.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

My current (tentative) conclusion is that Moore doesn't resemble my notion of Cordelia and a more suitable actress could be found - I just haven't figured out who! I have seen An Idel Husband but don't remember her specifically, I'll just have to watch it again - no hardship.

Delighted to see you here! I'm glad you've been enjoying my HH comments, it's been fun making them. But then... you know I love talking about books.