Carol (2015)
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A forbidden affair unfolds between an aspiring photographer and a woman navigating a difficult divorce in 1950s New York.
The story
During the Christmas season of 1952, aspiring photographer Therese Belivet works in a Manhattan department store. She encounters Carol Aird, a glamorous woman seeking a gift for her daughter. A simple interaction involving a pair of forgotten gloves leads to a connection between the two women. As Carol navigates the complexities of a difficult divorce from her husband, Harge, she finds herself drawn into a burgeoning relationship with Therese. Amidst the backdrop of 1950s New York, the two women must navigate the social constraints and personal risks of their burgeoning connection while facing the pressures of their respective lives.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1952, Therese Belivet, an aspiring photographer, meets Carol Aird at a Manhattan department store. After a series of interactions, the two women begin a clandestine relationship. Carol, facing a divorce from her husband Harge, who is attempting to use a 'morality clause' to seize custody of their daughter Rindy, decides to go on a road trip with Therese to escape the stress. During the trip, they share a romantic connection, but they are shadowed by a private investigator hired by Harge. Following a series of events, including a confrontation with the investigator and a period of separation, the two women eventually find their way back to one another. The film concludes with a final meeting in a hotel, where they acknowledge their love for one another in a world that does not yet accept their union.
- First release year
- 2015
- Runtime (minutes)
- 119
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Todd Haynes
- Writers
- Phyllis Nagy · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Cate Blanchett · Carol Aird; Rooney Mara · Therese Belivet; Sarah Paulson · Abby; Jake Lacy · Richard; Kyle Chandler · Harge
- Genres
- historical romantic drama
- Themes
- Motherhood; Lesbian identity; Prohibition and secrecy
- Tone and mood
- melancholy; romantic; restrained
- Premise and plot tags
- period piece; romance; drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith
- Content notes
- nude scene
- Reception
- The film received widespread acclaim for its direction and performances, becoming the best-reviewed film of 2015 and being named the best LGBTQ film of all time by the British Film Institute.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 94% · scale: percentage · review count: 320; Metacritic · score: 94 · scale: 100 · review count: 45
- Awards and nominations
- Audience Award · Whistler Film Festival · win; Gold Q Hugo Award · Chicago International Film Festival · win; Best Film · New York Film Critics Circle · win; Best Director · New York Film Critics Circle · win; Best Cinematography · New York Film Critics Circle · win; Best Screenplay · New York Film Critics Circle · win; Best Music · Los Angeles Film Critics Association · win; Best Director · National Society of Film Critics · win; Best Cinematography · National Society of Film Critics · win; Best Director · Boston Society of Film Critics · win; Best Cinematography · Boston Society of Film Critics · win; Technical Achievement Award · London Film Critics' Circle · win; Film of the Year · Dorian Awards · win; Director of the Year · Dorian Awards · win; Performance of the Year - Actress (Blanchett) · Dorian Awards · win; LGBTQ Film of the Year · Dorian Awards · win; Screenplay of the Year · Dorian Awards · win
- Production trivia
- The film was shot on Super 16 mm film.; The film was once considered a 'lock' for a Best Picture nomination.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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