Carol is a ground-breaking drama about two women who fall deeply in love. The screenplay was adapted from “The Prince of Salt,” a novel by Patricia Highsmith. The film is set in 1950’s New York: A decidedly romantic backdrop to this heart-wrenching, eye-opening romance.

Cate Blanchett elegantly portrays sophisticated divorcee Carol Aird, a toe-curling beauty. Rooney Mara co-stars as Therese Belivet: dark, elusive, and curious.

Stifling Convention

It’s the 50’s, and America is girdled with white picket fences barricading stay at home moms. This was a time when different was dangerous. Carol Aird is in the midst of a divorce, and having a love affair with a younger woman to boot.

Director Todd Haynes breaks convention by treating this lesbian love story the same way Hollywood traditionally treats heterosexual relationships. Utilizing a typical romantic love story formula works to validate the love between these two women as something more than spectacle.

Choosing a Christmas theme definitely works to drive this point home: One scene pictures the two lesbians driving through a wintery landscape. Silver Bells” tinkers in the background, while the two exchange romantic glances. Not exactly the typical treatment of this subject matter, which is typically framed as comedic, or ultimately tragic.

Perspectives and Lenses

“The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera” – Yousuf Karsh

The enigmatic Ms. Belivet dabbles in photography. She seems to be observing everything from a distance, ever on the periphery of a relationship, trying to decipher life through the lens of her camera.

This is a film about perspective. The many facets of any given situation, especially where feelings are involved, are so often misunderstood. If we could all trade glasses for a moment the world might be a lot less complicated.

The perspective of the 1950’s white male is also addressed. What Therese feels is presumptuous and entitled, her “boyfriend” sees as generous and forthright. “I asked you to marry me for Christ Sakes!” he exclaims, with the implied assumption that, regardless of how Therese feels about it, this is the best thing for her. “Maybe I never asked you for anything. Maybe that’s the problem!”

The mere suggestion of love between the two women is met with the condescending suggestion that Therese is just “in a trance” or that it’s just some “silly crush”. He apparently feels he’s an authority on the subject, and tells her exactly how she does, and should feel.

Love is all you Need

Primarily, the film is about understanding love in its many forms. If someone is lucky and deep enough to love someone for everything that they are, what right has anyone to stand in their way?

The film has garnered 45 awards and 183 nominations this award season. But more importantly, it’s provided a well-received and dignified perspective on coming out that’s been a long time coming, and that signifies a big step in the right direction.

See the lovely trailer here. Carol is playing at the Civic all week. Don’t miss it!

Heather Austin is a freelance writer living in Nelson, BC. She studied English Literature and Film at Memorial University of Newfoundland.  She enjoys skiing, canoeing, and thinking. hlaustincomposition.com