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 76 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 | photographer | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film received a 10-minute standing ovation at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) international premiere.

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Goofs

Therese boards a train to "Penn Station" in New York City. It is apparent that the train is running on the Erie Railroad's Main Line. In 1952, that train would never have entered New York and instead would have terminated at Jersey City. Even today, that train terminates at Hoboken and not at Penn Station. Also, as another writer pointed out, the train announcement stated that the train would stop at Secaucus Junction, which did not exist until 2003.

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Quotes

Carol Aird: [addressing Harge] So that's the deal. I won't, I cannot negotiate anymore. You take it or leave it. But if you leave it, we go to court. And if we go to court... it'll get ugly.
[holding back tears]
Carol Aird: And we're not ugly people, Harge.

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Connections

Referenced in Northern Lights (2016)

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Soundtracks

Kiss of Fire
Performed by Georgia Gibbs
Written by Lester Allen (as Allen)/Robert Hill (as Hill)
Published by Universal/MCA Music Ltd.
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd.

User Reviews

Subtle, beautiful

I loved this film for the subtleties. Lots of lingering, carefully framed shots and closeups. Lots of quiet scenes. Lots conveyed through looks and innuendo.

Rooney and Cate captured what it's like to be nervous yet excited while falling in love. It felt real. It felt like two people unsure of themselves, offering up just a bit of their true feelings at a time and waiting for the other person to do the same before revealing more.

Kyle Chandler's performance hasn't been commented on as much as the leads, but he was just as excellent. He played the part of tortured husband well without coming off as a mere villain. I sympathized with him and even understood where he was coming from.

I thought the film captured the time period in a very unique way. Nothing was overtly flashy or Normal Rockwell 50s, and at times it even felt gritty compared to most depictions of the era, but it was really beautiful.

The film stayed with me on the ride home, and I drove in silence while I reflected on it. That's how I judge a movie. If you are the type that loves character driven films, I'd very much recommend it. If you don't handle slow burn movies well, it might not be for you.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA Australia

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