• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

DVD Review – Carol (2015)

March 21, 2016 by Amie Cranswick

Carol, 2015.

Directed by Todd Haynes.
Starring Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, John Magaro and Kyle Chandler.

SYNOPSIS:

Carol and Therese meet over a department store counter. This chance encounter grows steadily into something neither of them were prepared to entertain. An encounter which leads to familial disruption, custody hearings and the breaking of social taboos. As someone once said none of us choose who we fall in love with.

Amongst its numerous Oscar nominations and LGBT credentials Carol is at heart a simple love story. Neither overtly flamboyant nor overly preachy, its depiction of same-sex relationships in the hands of Todd Haynes is voyeuristically non-judgemental. Playing with dialogue as well as the spaces between, his lead actresses engage in an often silent courtship. Necessitated as much by the period as anything else.

In their portrayals Blanchett and Mara skate the thin line between social expectations and gender limitations with skill. Neither wishing to upset the fifties applecart nor grandstand and thus eclipse their opposite number. Carol is clearly the more experienced in cloaking her desires and maintaining respectable relationships, just so her husband can save face. While Rooney’s Therese is enraptured by the older woman, learning moment to moment how dangerous it could be for her desire to outweigh propriety.

What Haynes does with his camera expands upon Phyllis Nagy’s dialogue, by isolating Therese and Carol behind car windows separating them from the outside world. Not only illustrating their burgeoning relationship but also their inherent isolation from those around them. You get the impression during the protracted dialogue sequences that everyone else is superfluous. In these more intimate moments Haynes concentrates on close-ups. Whether that is finger tips touching for a second, an eye line nervously crossed as pupils dilate, or the fact that other conversations cease to matter.

If anything Carol is just about two people falling in love and that they happen to be women is academic. Blanchett has never been one for engaging in Oscar baiting projects while Mara is equally picky about her projects. An accusation which could also be levelled at the director and some of Carol’s producers.

This film may start with some intentionally jettisoned gloves and a tentative phone call, but it ends with confidence, authority and a sense of self which few can lay claim to. Amongst its numerous plaudits Carol has recently been voted the top LGBT film of all time, which is ironic since the film deals in subterfuge and closeted necessity. Ultimately it should be celebrated for the simple depiction of love on-screen rather than anything else. Because conveying that sense of falling without fear for another person requires bravery whatever the medium. Once in a while however though such things do happen, for which we should all be grateful.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Martin Carr – Follow me on Twitter

. url=”.” . width=”100%” height=”150″ iframe=”true” /]

Filed Under: Martin Carr, Movies, Reviews Tagged With: carol, Cate Blanchett, Jake Lacy, John Magaro, Kyle Chandler, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, todd haynes

About Amie Cranswick

Amie Cranswick has been part of Flickering Myth’s editorial and management team for over a decade. She has a background in publishing and copyediting and has served as Editor-in-Chief of FlickeringMyth.com since 2023.

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark Revisited: The Birth of a Horror Icon

Six Overhated Modern Horror Movies

The Most Iconic Cult Classics of All Time

10 Great Movies About Twins

MTV Generation-Era Comedies That Need New Sequels

8 Great Cult Sci-Fi Films from 1985

10 Great Comedic Talents Wasted By Hollywood

The Essential Action Movies of 1985

The Worst Movies From The Best Horror Franchises

The Essential Modern Conspiracy Thrillers

Top Stories:

“Dexter In Space” – Michael C. Hall talks 20 years of Dexter and where the killer will go next

Movie Review – Abraham’s Boys (2025)

Crazy Cult 90s Horror Movies You May Have Missed

Dune 3 gets official title as production begins

Movie Review – Daniela Forever (2025)

Netflix shares Wednesday season 2 trailer and promo images

Movie Review – Superman (2025)

Great Tarantino-esque Movies You Need To See

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

The Most Obscure & Shocking John Waters Movies

Godzilla Minus One and the Essential Toho Godzilla Movies

10 Movie Franchises That Need To End

The 10 Best Villains in Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket