Todd Haynes' tale of 1950s prejudices in America. Housewife Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) thinks she has the perfect set-up; two children, a successful husband (Dennis Quaid) & a house in the suburbs. But this vision is shattered one night when she surprises her husband at work & finds him in the arms of another man. Not able to tell anyone in her social circle, she finds solace with their African-American gardener, Raymond (Dennis Haysbert). However, when they are seen alone together by Cathy's best friend (Celia Weston)
- a social taboo in that era
- the gossip begins & this threatens to reveal the Whitaker's secret life.