Carol

Name: Carol
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: November 20, 2015
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 94
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Cory Michael Smith, Jake Lacy, John Magaro, Kyle Chandler

2015

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 45 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 695 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 695 Ratings

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Carol (US Trailer 2)

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Movie Details & Credits

Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: November 20, 2015 | R

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Cory Michael Smith, Jake Lacy, John Magaro, Kyle Chandler, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson

Summary: Set in 1950s New York, two women from very different backgrounds find themselves in the throes of love. 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, convenientSet in 1950s New York, two women from very different backgrounds find themselves in the throes of love. 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) threatens her competence as a mother when Carol’s involvement with Therese and close relationship with her best friend Abby (Sarah Paulson) comes to light. As Carol leaves the comfort of home to travel with Therese, an internal journey of self-discovery coincides with her new sense of space. [TWC]… Expand

Director: Todd Haynes

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Moira Macdonald

Dec 25, 2015

You leave the film’s soft-grained world reluctantly, as if taking off a warm coat when it’s still a little chilly inside. Read full review

100

Kevin Harley

Nov 23, 2015

Under Haynes’ sure hand, Blanchett and Mara deliver a love story to melt to. Every glance means something, no strain shows: it’s filmmaking as natural as breathing. Read full review

100

IndieWire Eric Kohn

May 18, 2015

A nuanced tale of mutual attraction that reflects a filmmaker and cast operating at the height of their powers, rendering complex circumstances in strikingly personal terms. Read full review

100

Marjorie Baumgarten

Dec 24, 2015

In Carol, all the elements dovetail perfectly to create a movie that is as irresistible as its title character. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Dec 24, 2015

Carol is a simple story that sneaks up on you. Todd Haynes takes such care in the telling of it — and the gorgeous depiction of it — that it's impossible not to be moved. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Dec 23, 2015

Director Haynes has a knack for framing his characters with just the right touch. There are no throwaway shots in this film. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Feb 3, 2020

The problem is that there is very little chemistry between the actresses, and Haynes and screenwriter Phyllis Nagy are far too studied in their depiction of passion. The most impressive performance in the movie is given by Blanchett’s elaborately coiffed, cast-iron hairdo. Read full review

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User Reviews

Kiryu25

Sep 11, 2022

Gorgeous production values but not much depth, other than in depicting the potentially devastating homophobia of the times - which of course is no small thing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kre8gate

Dec 30, 2015

Why do we go to the cinema instead of staying home and playing video games? It's to enjoy a lush visual experience that has been carefully crafted, that's why. Fight-shoot-chase movies bore me to tears, which is one reason I loved the slow, subtle intensity of Carol.

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

beingryanjude

Nov 29, 2015

Breathtaking—every bit emotionally brilliant as it is visually stunning. Todd Haynes has crafted a masterpiece with the very capable help of Phyllis Nagy’s script - and two career-best performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. With its against-the-grain subject matter and a sweetly,Breathtaking—every bit emotionally brilliant as it is visually stunning. Todd Haynes has crafted a masterpiece with the very capable help of Phyllis Nagy’s script - and two career-best performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. With its against-the-grain subject matter and a sweetly, compelling love story, CAROL will go on to be one of the greatest romances.… Expand

20 of 23 users found this helpful203

Jacob

Jan 14, 2016

Carol is a well told lesbian romance. The romance between the two leads works with Mara especially shining. What’s notable isn’t just what is said but what isn’t said. How while Mara doesn’t say much the camera speaks for her both the diegetic one she holds and the non-diegetic one. It isCarol is a well told lesbian romance. The romance between the two leads works with Mara especially shining. What’s notable isn’t just what is said but what isn’t said. How while Mara doesn’t say much the camera speaks for her both the diegetic one she holds and the non-diegetic one. It is the construction of the various shots to the tell the story that almost make this something special. Had the film just clarified the various relationships it could’ve been great. Nonetheless, it is still a well made film and the fact that exists shows how far we’ve come. While such a romance may have happened in an earlier time period it is only recently that we are at a point where we can show it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

FilmPhonic

Jan 5, 2016

It’s probably controversial in today’s political climate to say that a gay love story is unconventional, but given the 1950s social climate in which the story is set, ‘Carol’ is very much that, as was Patricia Highsmith’s source novel which was published at the time in question.

There’sIt’s probably controversial in today’s political climate to say that a gay love story is unconventional, but given the 1950s social climate in which the story is set, ‘Carol’ is very much that, as was Patricia Highsmith’s source novel which was published at the time in question.

There’s no doubt that the nature of a lesbian relationship in the 50s is a driving factor for the narrative in ‘Carol’, as Highsmith’s original book soft-cover claimed, this is “The novel of a love society forbids”.
But the careful and considered treatment that’s given to the story, plus masterful craftsmanship by director Todd Haynes, means that you quickly move past a gay love story into a non-traditional yet familiar and tender relationship drama which most adult audiences will relate to.

The irrepressible Cate Blanchett stars in the titular role as woman in repressed turmoil who struggles to balance her character with her family obligations and societal constraints, a distinguished and subtle performance that’s a perfect counterpoint to her Oscar-winning turn in ‘Blue Jasmine’. Rooney Mara also delivers a strong measured performance as an equally uncertain “Therese Belivet”, a girl struggling with youth-related inner turmoil, and who is the catalyst for “Carol’s” inner revolution.

Much has been made of the visual stylishness of the film and indeed the achievements of the cinematographers and costume designers deserve the praise they’re receiving. By rejecting digital and choosing to shoot in 16mm film, Todd Haynes has achieved a vivid colour palette and texture that’s faithful to the cinematic aesthetic of the period in which it’s set.

‘Carol’ carefully walks the line between a tender romance and a melodrama, occasionally stepping over that line with convenient and unlikely story turns and characters that are mostly one-note, apart from the leads. Indeed the narrative is unbalanced with everything revolving around “Carol” while simultaneously portraying characters that no matter how understated, are all fundamentally self-centered. In that sense ‘Carol’ has distinct 21st century characteristics.

Despite strong and subtle performances from the leads and a commendable attempt at a realist depiction of a period romance, regardless of sexuality, the central love story is beautiful but just not that compelling.

The Bottom Line…
Director Todd Haynes has managed to beautifully craft a subtle period-piece romance about “forbidden” love that backs away from melodrama and delivers a universally relatable narrative, despite some character flaws and a slightly underwhelming core courtship.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

quillber

Dec 22, 2015

This film looks beautiful and the acting is of course brilliant but thats where it ends, I cant believe how overhyped this is! It has almost no plot and is so dreary and depressing throughout. Ugh!

3 of 12 users found this helpful39

Broyax

Nov 27, 2019

Ah encore un film sur l'amitié féminine et beaucul, beaucoup plus pardon, si affinités... malheureusement, c'est pas drôle du tout (à l'inverse de Gazon maudit !) et en ce qui concerne la question de se rincer l'oeil, on reste sur sa faim ! (à l'inverse de La vie d'Adèle... dont c'était leAh encore un film sur l'amitié féminine et beaucul, beaucoup plus pardon, si affinités... malheureusement, c'est pas drôle du tout (à l'inverse de Gazon maudit !) et en ce qui concerne la question de se rincer l'oeil, on reste sur sa faim ! (à l'inverse de La vie d'Adèle... dont c'était le seul intérêt, certes...).

"Carol" perd donc sur les deux tableaux mais fait carton plein sur l'ennui... et quel ennui ! quelle platitude, que c'est amorphe et chiant... ma télécommande en trépignait d'impatience : "accélère, accélèèère cette meeerde..." me sussurait-elle... et cela malgré Rooney Mara, la belle se dévoilant tout de même un tantinet (ou une tantinette plutôt... pour l'inclusivité) un minimum syndical qui ne suffit pas, hélas...

Blanchett est assez consternante en tout cas, presque aussi consternante que ce film consternant à la mise en scène consternante : je suis consterné et aux trois quarts endormi... y compris et même en avance rapide.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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1	#1 Best Movie of 2015
40	#40 Most Discussed Movie of 2015
3	#3 Most Shared Movie of 2015