That was the day I stopped believing in the wild ardor of things. Perhaps in love, as well. That kind of love. The love in books and films. The love that tells us to abandon our lives and plans, all for one brief touch of Venus. So often we fail at that kind of love. The world just seems too fragile a place for it. And of every other kind, life remains full. Perhaps it's just we who are too fragile.
For some reason, our modern society has a habit of looking at the 1950's as a sanitized, almost perfect version of American society. This film takes that presupposition and, at first, fits it to a tee with postcard-esque cinematography and an introduction to a wonderfully happy family. Then the movie thrusts the viewer into reality dealing with two seemingly modern issues: Homosexuality and interracial relationships. This technique also helps to realize that these issues are not present-day issues, rather they are issues that the more "ideal" generation turned a blind eye to while people suffered. This reminds me of my dad's "favorite" church sermon. You probably know it. It usually goes something like: "We need to return to the time when our nation was right with God!" To which my dad usually replies: "I'd like you to point out that nonexistent time!"
On a side note, it is an absolute travesty that Julianne Moore did not win an Oscar for this role. She was double nominated in best actress and supporting actress (for "The Hours") and I'm sure her votes were split. Ah, the wonderful soap opera of the Academy...
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