Thanks to those of you who noticed I wrote Star TREK instead of Star WARS in the Re: line of my last review (it’s good to know people are out there). So, as my movie marathon continues, I bring you a review of Carol, a film about as far from Star Wars as you get. The Force Awakens is massive and exhilarating; Carol is small and slow.
Carol (Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler) – Cate Blanchett is being hyped for Best Actress for her performance as Carol, the early 1950s rich diva trapped in a bad marriage and attracted to a young shopgirl from a local department store. Rooney Mara plays Therese (pronounced Ter-EZ), the department store clerk who is captivated by the beautiful, older rich woman who buys a Christmas present from her. Therese has a boyfriend who is pushing her to get married, and she is ambivalent.
That ambivalence makes her more than a little susceptible to the advances of Carol, who isn’t very subtle about her attraction. Therese is willing and encouraging. And Carol knows just what she is doing.
As much as she loves her daughter, Carol is miserable with her husband, Harge (Kyle Chandler), and has filed for divorce. Even though the couple has agreed to share custody, Carol’s world is turned upside down when Harge seeks sole custody, citing morality issues stemming from a previous homosexual relationship between Carol and her lifelong friend, Abby (Sarah Paulson).
In 2015, this storyline might not be that shocking. But this is early 1950s, and homosexuality was viewed as deviant. By today’s standards, Carol might be called a sexual predator as she practically stalks Therese and takes advantage of the young woman’s innocence and infatuation. But this quickly becomes a consensual relationship. So when Harge takes the daughter to Florida for Christmas, Carol and Therese set off on a road trip west. Their relationship takes them to Chicago and turns sensual in Waterloo, Iowa (of all places). The rest of the film is the heart of the story so I won’t spoil it for you.
Blanchett’s and Rooney’s performances are outstanding. The movie – not so much. It feels ponderous, forlorn, and slow. Director Todd Haynes chooses to film the film grainy, shooting many scenes through dirty windows. There is a lot of rain and dark lighting. Maybe he is saying that the post-war, energizing, optimistic ‘50s weren’t so great, but it just makes the movie feel drawn out and dark.
Haynes was nominated for writing for Far From Heaven (he directed it, too), a 1950s drama about the relationship between a white woman and a black man. Haynes seems attracted to these stories of jousting social morays. His attempt here is less successful this time. But he gets the best out of his cast, which makes the film worth seeing.
Of the many movies this holiday season, Carol isn’t the best. But it is an interesting social statement featuring excellent performances from the two leads.