In the fall of 1957 the Whitakers, the perfect suburban family, make their home in Hartford, Connecticut. The Whitakers have two children, and father Frank (Dennis Quaid) manages the local office of Magnatech. Cathy (Julianne Moore) accidentally witnesses her husband kissing another man, and his secret gay life causes her world to start falling apart. She's grateful when Frank reluctantly consents to undergo psychiatric anti-gay treatment. But in her confusion and grief, she finds consolation in the friendship of their Afro-American gardener, Raymond Deagan (Dennis Haysbert)-- a socially unacceptable relationship that leads to the further disintegration of her life. Ray is educated, sensitive, soft-spoken, gentle, and the single father of a young daughter. Cathy is faced with choices that create gossip in her community, and change several lives forever. Despite Cathy and Frank's struggle to keep their marriage afloat, the reality of his homosexuality and her feelings for Raymond open a painful and more honest chapter in their lives. Finally, thinking everything is alright again with Frank, Cathy and her gay spouse go for a winter vacation in Miami, a place populated with handsome young men.
This film mixes both sexual and racial prejudice with such a stylized veneer that it is emotionally compelling. The "look" of the film is superb, recreating the fashion, cars, home and office decor, and technology of the period to an uncanny degree. Plus the cast and filmmakers have such an impeccable command of the look and feel of the genre that every moment is deeply felt. Written and directed by Todd Haynes
