A young photographer develops a love affair
with an older, married woman in 1950's New York. DRAMA
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Carol (2015)Directed by Todd Haynes
Written by Phyllis Nagy Starring Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, John Magaro, Cory Michael Smith Based on the novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith Oscar Nominations - Best Actress (Cate Blanchett), Best Supporting Actress (Rooney Mara), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score (Carter Burwell) |
Carol is a heartbreaking story of two souls who found each other, but the world around them refused to let them be together. A lesbian couple in the 1950's was as taboo as you could get, and society would've shunned them every day of their lives. Led by two incredible performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, Carol is a film that will infuriate you and warm your heart at the same time.
Mara plays Therese, an aspiring photographer who encounters Carol (Blanchett), an older, married woman on the verge of a nasty divorce. Sparks fly immediately, and the two start a friendship that quickly evolves into something more. But Carol's husband Harge (Kyle Chandler) refuses to let her go quietly, and chaos ensues when he threatens to take her daughter away. This causes a rift between Carol and Therese, and the end result is saddening to say the least. But the story is told quite well, and the realistic characters make the film stay with you. Considering the novel the film was based on was written in 1952, I think it's amazing nobody comes across like a stereotype. Carol is the kind of film that's important culturally, if only to remember that our country may not be perfect now, but there was a time when being openly gay would destroy your entire life. It meant being forced to cast aside the person you loved, and who knew if you'd ever see them again. Carol tells one such tale with vigor and grace. |