Carol

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

7.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 695 Ratings

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JemskiNov 29, 2015

Oh my god. I knew in the first three minutes that I was not going to enjoy this movie. It had that "I'm going to take my time about it" pace which turned out to be true. This film literally dragged by. If I wasn't with friends I wouldOh my god. I knew in the first three minutes that I was not going to enjoy this movie. It had that "I'm going to take my time about it" pace which turned out to be true. This film literally dragged by. If I wasn't with friends I would have walked out (for the second time ever in 40 years of movie going). The production design was good but that doesn't sustain a film with so many unlikely events. I also couldn't give a fig about any of the characters as they were mostly self centred people. The acting was fine but not outstanding but for me it was a long string of pauses joined together with silence with the odd disjointed sentence.… Expand

8 of 27 users found this helpful819

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Pember96Nov 25, 2015

Amazing film. Gorgeously shot, the acting is great and authentic (though not too high on Mara's performance, but she and Blanchett have great chemistry), the recreation of the real early '50s, the production design, the costumes, allAmazing film. Gorgeously shot, the acting is great and authentic (though not too high on Mara's performance, but she and Blanchett have great chemistry), the recreation of the real early '50s, the production design, the costumes, all exquisite. A compelling, inspired, and authentic depiction of Patricia Highsmith's book. I love that they balanced out the two main characters, as the book is told entirely from Therese's (Mara) POV and Carol is only (and narrowly) experienced through her prism. Here we fully experience both characters in their context, their experiences separately and together, and Carol remains the intriguing figure she is but we also get to understand better, her situation, her drive, vulnerability, the choice she has make - the person behind the image Therese is enamored with. I commend Nagy (screenwriter), Haynes, and Blanchett for what they accomplished in conveying the arch of this complex, enigmatic character.
The film puts you in a bit of a trance, and you sort of feel like you've been holding your breath until that wonderful ending. It's definitely one to be experienced by everyone, and especially on the big screen. It might be for me the best film really about romance and falling in love, ironically based in such a repressive era.… Expand

9 of 11 users found this helpful92

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natalia23Nov 24, 2015

Carol is one of the best films of the year, is also the most romantic and beautiful movie of recent years. The costumes, photography, soundtrack, it draws attention. Todd Haynes made a beautiful film that not only the critics loved who wasCarol is one of the best films of the year, is also the most romantic and beautiful movie of recent years. The costumes, photography, soundtrack, it draws attention. Todd Haynes made a beautiful film that not only the critics loved who was touched loved the movie too, deserves the highest rating. It's a love story of the 50s, so the romance between Therese and Carol is subtended, until such time that they connect, it makes the most beautiful film.… Expand

9 of 13 users found this helpful94

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username174Nov 23, 2015

Waste of a couple of hours. Cate is a great actress and she is one of the producers of this movie. My rating is to do with the really **** ending and the roundabout type of story. It just did not flow and I can now understand why they put soWaste of a couple of hours. Cate is a great actress and she is one of the producers of this movie. My rating is to do with the really **** ending and the roundabout type of story. It just did not flow and I can now understand why they put so much effort on producing such a good trailer when the movie itself is a huge let down. It left questions unanswered and it was quite narcissistic in concentrating only around Cate's character. She is already recognised around the world as a serious and excellent actress but the forcefulness of this movie around her created an aversion for her which did not exist before. Cate didn't need to try so hard for the attention. The movie also lacked rhythm.… Expand

7 of 27 users found this helpful720

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LamontRaymondNov 20, 2015

It's a beautifully shot film, and Cate Blanchette is amazing, as usual. But Mara is inert - she brings very little to the table, and the story itself is not extraordinarily compelling. A good solid little film, but nothing revolutionary,It's a beautifully shot film, and Cate Blanchette is amazing, as usual. But Mara is inert - she brings very little to the table, and the story itself is not extraordinarily compelling. A good solid little film, but nothing revolutionary, and nothing to justify such extraordinary critical acclaim. The road trip in the middle of the film saps much of the energy from the proceedings, in my mind. If you'd like a peek into the late 50's mood, this film does it, but it could have been much more.… Expand

7 of 10 users found this helpful73

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foxgroveNov 20, 2015

This could just as easily be titled ‘Close to Heaven’ as this is an absolutely brilliant adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s book ‘The Price of Salt’.
An incandescently beautiful Cate Blanchett is hypnotically stunning in the title role.This could just as easily be titled ‘Close to Heaven’ as this is an absolutely brilliant adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s book ‘The Price of Salt’.
An incandescently beautiful Cate Blanchett is hypnotically stunning in the title role. Unhappily married to Harge (Kyle Chandler) she suddenly finds herself attracted to (and then involved with) a much younger shop girl, Therese, exquisitely played by Rooney Mara. Both actresses hold centre stage for two hours and mesmerise throughout. Mara has never been better and understates to perfection, whilst Blanchett once again surpasses her own indelible standards with her aura, elegance and class. She is without equal at the moment, undoubtedly the best actress currently working in films. If she doesn’t nab a third Academy Award for this dream of a performance then the Oscars should finally call it a day.
Credit for this gem must also be given to Todd Haynes whose direction is a master class in precision and restraint. He has an uncanny knack for knowing how to get the most from every moment in every scene, and he has an amazing eye for detail. He is complimented in this by the superb screenplay by Phyllis Nagy. Her outstanding writing is full of subtlety and context. To this the actors bring the added nuances that enables them to completely realise these thrillingly flesh and blood characters. Between them they pull off an ending that is cinema heaven, as unexpected as it is wanted. An ending that hits all the right notes to perfection.
Past collaborators also bring their skills. Ed Lachman’s cinematography has a deliberately more subdued and grainy look than his lush work on ‘Far From Heaven’, and the colour palette is also far less vibrant. However, it is all in keeping with the period and the unfolding drama. Sandy Powell’s costumes are again gorgeous and her dressing of Mara contributes to the feeling that one is watching a young Audrey Hepburn. Carter Burwell riffs Elmer Bernstein’s astonishingly beautiful score from the earlier film, but his music is lovely in its own right. All other production values are of the highest order, as are the supporting performances of Kyle Chandler and Sarah Paulson.
A fitting and complimentary companion piece to ‘Far From Heaven’, and like that one this is a sublime film. One to see again and again.… Expand

9 of 13 users found this helpful94

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