Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Movie Review - Carol

Carol directed by Todd Haynes is a lush period piece set in the 1950s.  The cars are vintage. The sets are stylish. New York City absolutely shines. The stars are stunning.
Cate Blanchett won her Oscar for Blue Jasmine because she dominated the screen.  In Carol she has to share it with Rooney Mara and it’s worth it.  This is a low key artsy flick about forbidden love.
It’s very modest, unassuming, and totally hot.

Carol (Cate Blanchett) is rich, married, a mother, and yet very much on the prowl.  Therese (Rooney Mara) is young and working a Macy’s counter in the 1950s. Cate leaves her gloves. The rest is magic.
This is a complicated tale of a growing fascination and love.  Therese is almost engaged to a young man. Carol is married to the very rich and powerfully conceited Kyle Chandler. How could she resist?  And yet, her college friend (Sarah Paulson) provided complications in the marriage. Now Therese is bait. There’s a road trip where the women bond. It’s all done tastefully and discreetly and yet there’s Carol’s child involved.  Mental health issues. It’s a tough judging world in 1950s and Therese is collateral damage in the fight for love.

Rooney Mara is a gamine Audrey Hepburn. She’s young, beautiful, with huge soulful eyes and a soft manner. Cate Blanchett exudes style and rich knowledge. She’s dangerous and magnetic. What shall win out??  This is a very classically made film with good pacing, beautiful sets, and excellent acting. Nothing blows up, except a few hearts. Both performances are Oscar worthy but shall probably cancel each other out. Carol is just a really nice film, absolutely worth your time and effort. 

18 comments:

  1. Both actresses are excellent - and up for Oscars. We'll see what happens.

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    1. not their year. I think Brie from Room has it clinched

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  2. Hi Joanne - I missed it down here .. silly me - as I knew I'd feel - it was on before Christmas and then came off at New Year. I can see it in London sometime ... it's got very good reviews, as is yours here .. cheers Hilary

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    1. it's just well done and classy. No doubt it will come on rental quick enough

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  3. Sounds enticing and sexy. I'd like to see it for the setting alone. Thank you, Joanne.

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    1. My father and sister gave it a thumbs up before me. We all like Cate and Rooney.

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  4. I like Cate and I'm a fan of Kyle Chandler too. This sounds like one I'd like to see.

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    1. I think you'll like it - low key and well written and directed

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  5. I've seen trailers of this and I'm struck by how visually stunning it looks.

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  6. Sounds like my type of film and you probably know how fussy I am by now! Wonder if it's coming to our local,

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    1. keep your eye out. I hope I don't steer you wrong

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  7. Looks like a great film. I'll have to keep an eye out

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  8. Never heard of this one, although it looks good.

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    1. I know it was playing at the Ambler theater - that's where my Dad saw it.

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  9. Never heard of this one, although it looks good.

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