Film Review: Carol (2015).

All Rights Reserved to the rightful owners. Carol Press Still. 2015.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – 4/5.

Author: Feargal Agard | Runtime: 118 min. | Director: Todd Haynes | Year: 2015.

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Carol takes place in the 1950s and tells the story of a well-to-do woman, Carol Aird, and the young inexperienced Therese Belivet. As Therese gets to know Carol better, the love between the two women grows. They have their first kiss and many intimate moments. A fascinating, beautiful, classic, awesome, dreamy and touching film.

Carol, which takes place in the 1950s, is about the well-to-do Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett) and the young inexperienced Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara). Carol lives with her daughter Rindy (Kk Heim & Sadie Heim) and husband Harge Aird (Kyle Chandler) in one of the suburbs of New Jersey. Carol meets the saleswoman Therese Belivet in a toy store in New York. There is clearly a click between them. When Carol forgets her gloves in the store, Therese does her best to return it to the rightful owner, Carol. Therese succeeds and from there on they start to hang out more often. While They get to know each other better, they flirt and they get more intimate with each other. She also finds out that the relationship between Carol and Harge isn’t going well. They divorce and they fight over the custody of their daughter Rindy. At Christmas, Carol and Therese flee the city to travel around for a month. The love between the two women is growing. They have their first kiss and many intimate moments. While Carol and Therese enjoy each other’s company, Harge is determined to acquire full custody of Rindy and to expose all mystery surrounding Carol and Therese. Will Harge be able to ensure that Carol will never see her daughter again? Or will the love between Carol and Therese overcome their obstacles and will they end up with each other?

Todd Haynes has again delivered a beautiful piece of work. Carol is a romantic drama film. A beautiful, classic, soft, emotional and dreamy film about two women who fall in love with each other. Although the film produces a sort of Far From Heaven (2002) feeling, this film is entirely self-contained. The story shows two contrasts between the older and experienced lady, Carol, and a younger and inexperienced woman, Therese. Often characters of different ages complement each other. It is extremely interesting to see a story about two women who have an intimate relationship with each other because in comparison to straight films you don’t often see many films of this magnitude. It is more common that a film involves two romantically engaged men than women. In the 1950s, such a relationship was kept secret because of the fact that at that time it was considered a psychological illness. The film is based on the book The Price of Salt (1952) written by Patricia Highsmith. The book may not be based on a true story, but it feels very real and contemporary. In the film, there are other well-known actors, such as Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, Cory Michael Smith, John Magaro, Carrie Brownstein, Ann Reskin, Kevin Crowley, Nik Pajic, Trent Rowland.

The characters portrayed by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are fascinating and profound. Especially Carol, played by Blanchett. Carol is an elegant, seductive, smart and experienced woman who, through her social and extraverted skills, exercises and exudes a kind of control. At the same time, she has a beautiful and fragile side that comes more to the foreground as we get to know her. Cate Blanchett has played this role in a very impressive way. Therese is a beautiful, gentle, sweet and shy young woman who can come across as an introvert and is very new in women’s love. Rooney Mara played this role very naturally and credibly. There are many moments that are recognizable. This makes the film very realistic and makes the viewer sympathize with the characters.

Todd Haynes has an exquisite way of directing. The cinematography in Carol is picturesque and very classic. The images are accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack, consisting of exquisite and dreamy music. Haynes knows exactly how to convey the story of a film, to bring the right feeling to the viewers. Even if something is weird, separate or different. Although a viewer would feel uncomfortable or negative about a scene. He has still achieved his goal because whatever you feel, one must understand that it might be the intention to make the viewer feel that way. His oeuvre consists of a series of films that, in a good way, can be very unique and strange in a good way. Like films about LGBTQ, ecological and feminist topics. But his films are especially beautiful and deep and encourage you to think about deciphering his films.

Carol would be a great recommendation to a wide audience. Simply because it is a beautiful film, and because it can be interesting for everyone to see a film about two women who have an intimate relationship. If you like Todd Haynes movies, Arthouse, LGBTQ films or the 1950s, there is something for everyone. Everyone will be able to find themselves in this beautiful, profound, dreamy and endearing film.

Carol will be released as from the 17th of December 2015.

Genre: Drama, Romance | Languages: English | Dutch distributor: Amstel Film.

In regard to all pictures and trailer footage. All Rights Reserved to the rightful owners. Carol Press Still. 2015.

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