Release Date: March 15, 2016
Rating: R
Running Time: 118 Minutes

Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s seminal novel The Price of Salt, CAROL follows two women from very different backgrounds who find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. As conventional norms of the time challenge their undeniable attraction, an honest story emerges to reveal the resilience of the heart in the face of change. 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) begins to question her competence as a mother as her involvement with Therese and close relationship with her best friend Abby (Sarah Paulson) come to light.

*****

Carol recently received the honor of being named the best LGBT film of all time by BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival and after watching the film myself, I can see why.

Carol is a powerful story about falling in love, loving in secret, being punished for living in your truth, and realizing that no matter the consequence, living in that truth is worth so much more.

Cate Blanchett is fierce as Carol, fully embodying the complexity and sophistication of her character in the way that she makes every role she takes on mesmerizing. Carol is an unhappily married mother of one struggling to live the life she’s been expected to live or build the one she desires so. Watching that family dynamic and her journey as a whole really stirred my heart and I’m so glad with where we find her in the end. I loved the ending but that’s all I’ll say about that.

Rooney Mara is fantastic as Therese, a young woman who works at a department store and is absolutely delighted when her world is twirled upside down. These characters are wonderful and each so distinct, especially in this time period, the 50s. I love how in addition to this being a love story, it’s also a story following two people from very different classes and very different ages, making this even more layered than it already was.

This is also such an authentic story about two lovers who always seem to give their love at times when the other is unwilling to take it. In this way it’s so universal and in this way, it will most definitely touch every viewer. So don’t think for one moment that this isn’t a romance for you. Carol is soft in its tone (love the cinematography by the way) but it is resounding in all that is said and unsaid within every layer of the story and that’s so beautiful.

Also beautiful is the score composed by the magnificent Carter Burwell which I highly recommend you take a listen to. Really, every aspect of this film was so lovely and poignant that I can definitely see myself watching this again. If you missed this during awards season, it’s not too late to watch it now.

Special Features:

Behind the Scenes Gallery (35 minutes) – There are 8 featurettes with the option to play all revolving around Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Todd Haynes (Director), Phyllis Nagy (Screenplay), Edward Lachman (Cinematography), Sandy Powell (Costume Design), Judy Becker (Production Design), and Carter Burwell (Composer). I have no idea why this is called “Gallery” but the features are your typical behind the scenes round ups. I only truly found the Cinematography and Costume Design features to be interesting as the rest I already had a pretty good handle on. However, if you have a half hour to spare, playing all and watching all of the features would be a great use of time if you really love the movie and just can’t get enough of it.

Also Appearing in This Feature:
Producer, Christine Vachon
Cast Members, Kyle Chandler, Sarah Paulson

Q&A Highlights With the Filmmakers & Cast (29:25 minutes) – This feature is footage from a handful of Q&A panels with the cast and filmmakers, beginning with the October 22, 2015 Los Angeles Q&A with Screenwriter, Phyllis Nagy and Actress, Rooney Mara which was moderated by Deadline Awards Columnist, Pete Hammond. You’ll get a little bit more here than what you hear in the other feature, so if you’re only going to watch one, perhaps consider this feature.

Own Carol on Blu-ray, DVD, or Digital HD today.