Carol

Dir: Todd Haynes

2015

*****

2015's Carol is based on the 1952 novel The Price of Salt by acclaimed writer Patricia Highsmith. Highsmith originally published the novel under a pseudonym as part of the story was autobiographical and parts were based on the experiences of a friend. In the 1950, homosexuality was still very much unaccepted in society, so the young author was brave to approach publishers and had to be careful. However, in 1990 she re-released the book using her real name and renamed it Carol, and I'm glad Todd Haynes used this title rather than the original. Based on an encounter with a women in a fur coat while working in New York's famous Bloomingdales store in the late forties, Highsmith actually wrote an eight page treatment that very evening. The rest of the story is based on the experiences of her close friend Virginia Kent Catherwood. Catherwood was a socialite who lost custody of her child after her husband had secret meetings she had with her female lover recorded by a private investigator. It is fair to say that Highsmith also used a pseudonym because she didn't want to be thought as as simply a lesbian writer, which she certainly isn't. However, The Price of Salt wasn't just popular with lesbians in the 1950s and it went some way in correcting misconceptions and providing better understanding of what was then a taboo subject. It still is a taboo subject and although I loved everything about the film, I do think it's tragic that it has taken this long for a big screen adaptation, although it has been said that while the lesbian theme was a concern, it was more a problem that the film had two female leads. This is a sad reflection on society and cinema. However, what an adaptation it is though. Highsmith's words translate beautifully on to the screen, the title sequence alone makes the film worth watching and it is visually sublime from start to finish. Rooney Mara is perfectly subdued, innocent and awakened as Therese and Cate Blanchett is absolutely stunning as Carol, the women in the fur coat. Kyle Chandler is great as the confused and angered husband, Sarah Paulson, who is fast becoming one of my favourite actors of all time, is brilliant as Carol's friend and former lover and Cory Michael Smith is suitably slimy as the 'just doing my job' private detective (although he has to be careful not to be typecast). Carol has stiff competition during award season but I think it was shocking that Todd Haynes didn't receive more recognition for his directional work. Personally, I found the film to be faultless. I've heard criticism of the film's pace but I would argue that it follows the pace and style of the novel perfectly. Easily one of the best films of 2015 and a new personal favourite of mine.