CAROL
US, 2015, 118 minutes, Colour.
Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, John Magaro.
Directed by Todd Haynes.
It is something of a surprise to find that the novel on which this film is based is by Patricia Highsmith, best known for her thrillers, including Strangers on a Train, filmed in 1951 by Alfred Hitchcock, the period in which this story is set.
The early 1950s were considered to be a rather calm period in American society – at least with what was to follow in the 1960s. Sexual orientation was not an issue that was discussed in public. This is the context of Carol’s story.
Carol is a wealthy middle-aged woman, divorced but with a little daughter, in some ways subdued by her dominant husband and his family, but seeking some kind of independence, especially in a relationship with Abby, a friend from school days. Her husband and his parents see this as an aberration and encourage her to therapy.
The other central character is a younger woman, Therese, who works in a department store. One day she is attracted by the very well-dressed, demure but assured Carol, sells her a train set as a gift and contrives to return to her the gloves that Carol had misplaced in the store. This leads to a meeting, to a lunch, to a relationship that is significant for both women.
Her husband is able to hold over Carol the threat of not being able to see her daughter. Nevertheless, she goes on a cross-country car ride with Therese. Her husband has not given up on her and the couple is surprised at a motel in the midwest. Carol is compliant, wanting to see her daughter, and her friend, Abby, flies out to bring Carol back to New York.
Can there be a future for the couple? Can Carol be assertive about herself as well as her demands on seeing her daughter? Can Therese move on and find a life on her own?
Over the years, director Todd Haynes has explored aspects of sexual orientation and relationships, especially in Far From Heaven with Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid, again set in the 1950s and, as with this film, styled, costumes and decor and make up, and photographed in the modes of the period. In some ways this distances the audience from the situation, looking back and making responsive judgements and only then reflecting on the issues of same-sex relationships in the 21st century.
Rooney Mara as Therese won the best actress award at the 2015 Cannes film Festival. But, it is Cate Blanchett who is centre screen as Carol, which many say is Cate Blanchett’s career-best (but they tend to say that about each of her performances). Sarah Paulson is Abby.
The film is meticulously produced, very fine in its performances, paced in a way that allows us to enter into the two characters, appreciate their needs, their attitudes, the relationship.
1. Acclaim for the film, awards?
2. The director, the themes of his filmmaking, his portrait of women, his pictures of sexual issues and themes and confusion?
3. The original story, written by Patricia Highsmith, her career in thriller writing? The story of the 1950s?
4. The cast, the strength of performances?
5. The colour photography, emulating the styles of films of the 1950s, the Eisenhower era,
Costumes, decor, homes, shops, restaurants? The cross-country drive, the motels? A film of the times and the technique of immersing the audience in the times?
6. The title, the focus? Carol, her relationship with Therese?
7. The initial scene, Carol and Thérèse together, in the restaurant, their discussion, Richard arriving, the social, Therese going, Carol letting her go? The flashbacks and returning to this sequence at the end?
8. The lesbian theme, the 1950s, the 21st century perspective, greater openness, audiences and attitudes, story, characters, drama, personal situations, moral situations, emotions and understanding?
9. Cate Blanchett as Carol, her age, experience, a woman of poise, control, yet vulnerable? The marriage, tense relationship with her husband, their meetings, home life, the lifestyle, the mansion, the devotion to her daughter? The motives for her marrying? Her relationship with Abby, from childhood, the sexual relationship, the end of the affair? The continued friendship, meetings, Abby helping her, Harge and his visit to her demanding to see Carol, her flying and collecting Therese and bringing her back to New York?
10. The initial impression of Thérèse, in the scene with Carol, her relationship with Richard? Talking to Carol, going to the party, Richard giving a lift? A different perspective when the scene is repeated at the end?
11. In the shop, the Santa hat, the staff, sales, Therese seeing Carol, the discussion about the train set and the sale, the gloves left behind, her getting them to Carol, the effect on Carrol? The looks between the two women? Carol’s appreciation, coming again, setting up the meetings?
12. The two falling in love, the bond between them, Thérèse and her explanations of Carol, to Richard, Danny, their attention to her? Her not able to respond to the men except in friendship?
13. The pressure on Carol, the decision to take the trip, the detail of the car rides, the countryside, the various motels, the buildup to the sexual encounter?
14. The phone calls, Harge and his search? The guest at the motel, talking, the photography, the revelation that he was a detective, nothing personal, sending the photos to Harge?
15. Carol, leaving, and Abby coming to get Thérèse? Carol at home, breaking of contact, going to visit her husband’s parents, the formalities and discussions, propriety? The prospect of losing her daughter, reunited with her? Going to the counsellor, saying the treatment was effective?
16. Going to the lawyers, Carol asserting herself, the issue of the deals, visitation rights?
17. Carol inviting Thérèse, their talking, the recurring of the initial sequence, Therese leaving, going to the party, at the party, making her decision? The return to the restaurant? Seeing Carol, her charm and aplomb, with people? Therese standing, Carol seeing her? The decision?
18. The audience emotions at the end of the film?
