Review of Carol (1990) by Connor C — 28 Dec 2015

Carol is a remarkably well-done period piece done in such a way that you begin to forget it was filmed in the modern day. In medias ray, the story begins at the end or nearly end of a loving, confusing and bittersweet relationship.

Carol, a rich nearing-middle-age lesbian who recently divorced her husband, falls for a shy, young shop girl with a Czech name, Therese. Sounds like a story book romance nearly, if this wasn't a time of harsh repression and when it wasn't "natural", so to speak, for such an event to take place.

Harge, Carol's ex-husband, is demanding sole custody of their daughter on the grounds of her perceived promiscuous relationship with their daughter's godmother. What ensues is a tale of longing, the forbidden and how relationships can be controlled.

Cate Blanchett is stunning as Carol, hitting all the points right on the head as always, bringing a certain grace and class to Carol's playful side, while also fully embodying her motherly and caring side.

Rooney Mara as Therese is just as brilliant, coming as a shy bookworm being awakened from her tired existence by a fun loving individual who loves her, and thus must navigate her way through something she never thought was possible.