Carol (2015)
Running Time: 1hr 58mins
Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett) is a beautiful, charming, elegant woman currently navigating the challenging waters of divorce and the shared custody of a daughter in the 1950s. Carol’s husband, Harge (Kyle Chandler), is a present father and a man trying desperately, yet fruitlessly, to convince his wife to return to their marriage.
Therese (Rooney Mara) works at a department store on the sales floor and finds herself going through the motions of a relationship with a far more emotionally-invested boyfriend. As an aspiring photographer, Therese is an introspective viewer of the world around her and is young and inexperienced enough to take risks and chances she may not have otherwise taken.
Carol, while shopping at the same department store, proceeds to strike up a conversation with Therese about Christmas gifts for her daughter and Therese is immediately captivated by her. Upon purchasing a gift and leaving the store, Therese realizes Carol forgot her expensive leather gloves. Therese mails the gloves back to Carol and Carol responds by calling and inviting Therese to meet her for lunch to thank her for her kindness.
This series of events leads the two women to begin a subtle relationship that evolves into a deeper emotional and physical connection. Carol admittedly had a previous relationship with her daughter’s Godmother, Abby (Sarah Paulson), before her marriage and the two remained very close friends. While same-sex relationships are still not fully accepted throughout the country, the 1950s were an especially difficult time. Carol’s husband finds out about the relationship between Carol and Therese and he tries to gain sole custody of their daughter through a “morality clause." Essentially, Carol’s attraction to women is seen as immoral and, therefore, makes her unfit to be a proper mother. Carol fights against her husband by avoiding Therese and seeking treatment through mental health professionals that “clear” her of the likelihood of any further improper behavior.
Carol ultimately decides that in order for her to be the best person and best mother possible, she has to be true to herself and true to her feelings. She tells Harge that he can have sole custody of their daughter, but she demands frequent visitation rights. Carol’s decision to rally against the norm and her refusal to be shunned for her actions leads her to a new outlook on life. She finds a new job and a new home and seeks to rekindle the relationship she had started with Therese.
The movie is slightly long and if you’re looking for a movie about the scandalous love affair between two forbidden lovers, this isn’t it. This movie is about two women finding their true selves independently and coincidentally finding each other. I really enjoyed this movie overall. I appreciated the subtlety of the characters and the subtlety of the relationship between Carol and Therese. There were many scenes where the emotional connection between them could be seen and heard, but without a word being spoken. I really found this to be beautifully artistic and compelling. I would Absolutely recommend this movie!
While there are many relatable concepts in this film, one that really stands out to me is sacrifice. Carol was willing to sacrifice her personal happiness and identity in order to convince her husband not to take their daughter away from her. She was willing to go through whatever means necessary and the loneliness that would accompany it, for the sake of keeping her daughter. Ultimately, Carol came to the realization as to what was best for her and for her daughter. How could she be the best person, the best mother, the best role model, and the best provider if she wasn’t being authentic and true to herself? Sometimes the best advice you can give your children is to simply live exactly as you are to show them what happiness, not convenience, looks like.
Carol has been selected as a recipient of an ARC Award.
