Carol

Review By: John Delia

A strong contender for best picture the movie Carol features a very good cast with performances that are sure to raise eyebrows, titillate and in some cases even repulse audiences during some explicit sexual scenes.  Yet the film has an aura of sensuality and romance attributed to the 21^st century openness to the gay movement.

In a flash back, during a shopping trip to a department store Carol (Cate Blanchett) notices a shy Therese (Rooney Mara) who is a new clerk at a women’s counter. Stunned by her simple beauty, she approaches the young woman and to her providence Therese accepts Carol’s eye contact in a loving way.  The chance meeting starts a relationship between the bored older housewife Carol and the free spirited Therese.

Nicely acted, Cate Blanchett brings a compelling, endearing and powerful performance as the cheating wife who has lost interest in the family she helped to create.  Her fondness for being a dominate women has led her to another budding lesbian using Therese to fulfill her desires.  It’s a fascinating performance, one that leaves a lasting mark on the audience.

As the thunderstruck mid-twenties, Therese (who instantly feels the rush of sensuality from the first casual acquaintance) Rooney Mara heats up the screen.  She has longed for a relationship beyond the men in her life and jumps at the chance to be with this older woman who has accepted her alluring eye gaze.  Therese also knows how to make a woman feel in control, something Carol thrives on.  Rooney should be an odds on favorite for her second shot at an Oscar.

Carol has been rated R by the MPAA for a scene of sexuality/nudity and brief language. It also contains scenes of smoking. The lesbian sex scenes are explicit and a scene of hostility between husband and wife can be upsetting to the timid.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  A sensually romantic film with excellent acting that makes every scene throughout believable. (A)