Carol (2015)

An aspiring photographer develops an intimate relationship with an older woman in 1950s New York.

Director:

Todd Haynes

Writers:

Phyllis Nagy (screenplay), Patricia Highsmith (novel)

Stars:

Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 77 wins & 240 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cate Blanchett	...	Carol Aird
Rooney Mara	...	Therese Belivet
Kyle Chandler	...	Harge Aird
Sarah Paulson	...	Abby Gerhard
Jake Lacy	...	Richard Semco
John Magaro	...	Dannie McElroy
Cory Michael Smith	...	Tommy Tucker
Kevin Crowley	...	Fred Haymes
Nik Pajic	...	Phil McElroy
Carrie Brownstein	...	Genevieve Cantrell
Trent Rowland	...	Jack Taft
Sadie Heim	...	Rindy Aird
Kk Heim	...	Rindy Aird (as Kennedy Heim)
Amy Warner	...	Jennifer Aird
Michael Haney	...	John Aird

Storyline

In an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's seminal novel The Price of Salt, CAROL follows two women from very different backgrounds who find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. As conventional norms of the time challenge their undeniable attraction, an honest story emerges to reveal the resilience of the heart in the face of change. A young woman in her 20s, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), is a clerk working in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life when she meets Carol (Cate Blanchett), an alluring woman trapped in a loveless, convenient marriage. As an immediate connection sparks between them, the innocence of their first encounter dims and their connection deepens. While Carol breaks free from the confines of marriage, her husband (Kyle Chandler) begins to question her competence as a mother as her involvement with Therese and close relationship with her best friend Abby (Sarah Paulson) come to light.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | lesbian romance | road trip | child custody | waterloo iowa | 

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Taglines:

Some people change your life forever

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of sexuality/nudity and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Price of Salt

Filming Locations:

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$11,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$253,510, 22 November 2015

Gross USA:

$12,711,491

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,272,135

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Weinstein Company, Film4, Number 9 Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Prior to production, director Todd Haynes compiled a playlist of 79 songs and instrumental music that were popular during the period Carol is set in (including songs referenced in the novel "The Price of Salt") to assist in further understanding the era and mood of the times. He distributed the CD collection to Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara and other cast members, composer Carter Burwell, music supervisor Randall Poster, editor Affonso Gonçalves, production designer Judy Becker, cinematographer Edward Lachman, assistant director Jesse Nye, and producer Elizabeth Karlsen. [Listen: 3 Exclusive Playlists Of Music Compiled By 'Carol' Director Todd Haynes, Indiewire, January 6, 2016]

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Goofs

In the projection room scene, the projectionist is seen smoking in close proximity to the projector. The print of Sunset Blvd. would most likely have been nitrate film which was extremely inflammable! Smoking in a projection room would have been a sackable offence as well as an appalling risk.

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Quotes

Carol Aird: [while driving back to Chicago] What are you thinking? You know how many times a day I ask you that?
Therese Belivet: Sorry. What am I thinking? I'm thinking that I'm utterly selfish.
Carol Aird: Don't do this. You had no idea. How could you have known?
Therese Belivet: And I should have said "No" to you but I never say "No". And it's selfish because... because I just take everything and I don't know anything. And I don't know what I want. How could I when all I ever do is say "Yes" to everything?
[turns head and cries]
Carol Aird: [...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Vince Vaughn/Ryan Seacrest/Dead & Company (2016)

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Soundtracks

Easy Living
Performed by Rooney Mara
Words and Music by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin
Published by Sony/ATV Harmony/Famous Music LLC
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

User Reviews

Simply beautiful

I watched Carol at the New York Film Festival, days after watching Freeheld. Since both movies talk about love relationship between two women, I was afraid I was going to see the same thing. Gladly, I couldn't be more wrong. Carol is such a beautiful movie, subtler than I had expected.

Even though I loved the movie, I'm aware that it's not for everybody. It's not fast paced, as current films tend to be. It takes its time to carefully construct the characters and to make us root for them. Credit is due to the cast, as Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are brilliant, and to the director Todd Haynes, who conducts well the story.

Moreover, the film is visually stunning, with impeccable make-ups and wardrobes, not to mention the beautiful locations covered in snow while they take a road-trip. Finally, the soundtrack is equally wonderful, with songs that correctly set the tone of their relationship.

It probably won't be a box office hit, but I do hope everybody gets a chance to see it eventually.

Full review: http://wp.me/p5Rk4c-f6