Director: Todd Haynes
By Alex Watson
Lauded at Cannes, Todd Haynes has brought us a love story like no other with Carol. Excellently channelling the repressed feel of love in the 1950's, Haynes lifts the lid on what hidden desire lurk below in ourselves. Aided by two stunning central turns by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, this film takes on a measured feel where the longing for a forbidden romance is the most painful aspect. Through this restraint a beautiful picture emerges that makes us question what love truly is?
Therese (Rooney Mara) is a budding photographer and shop girl at a Manhatten department store. One day completely by chance she meets Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), a socialite going through a bitter divorce with husband Harge (Kyle Chandler). As the pair become acquainted, a mutual attraction soon follows. But in their current society, their romance cannot take flight leading to some difficult choices for both.
Opening on a shot of a subway grille on the street, Haynes expresses his intentions for Carol early on. This is a powerful picture about two women who are trapped by the society they live in. This convention sees the pair living lives they are not entirely comfortable with and by revealing what's underneath, we see the true desires. Therese is a confused young lady who works an unsatisfying existence in a job she doesn't care for and is stuck in a loveless relationship. Carol is a lonely and isolated woman trying to find her own identity outside of the social circle she is still obliged to hang on to. Early conversations although stilted have a powerful passion hanging overhead. However, there is more to this story that just longing glances, Haynes also brings forward the pain of divorce and someone having to go back to square one to understand their own life.
Carol's separation from Harge makes up some of the movie's key moments as his behaviour grows increasingly irrational. Thankfully this man is not made out as the movie's villain and Haynes shows him more as a desperate and bewildered individual who cannot come to terms with what has happened. Her relationship with Therese is scrutinized from the get-go and is seen as a danger to her chances to gain custody of her child. When the relationship builds there is a fine line drawn between what people will say and the true meaning behind the words. Frequently there are heavy pauses where the audience waits for our characters to fill the gaps but secretly knows they cannot. This anticipation and wonder of what these characters feel provide Haynes' film with a feeling of enticement.
The real driving aspect of Carol is the sheer power of love. This picture has many tender and heartbreaking moments on display such as Carol whispering "My angel flung out of space." to Therese. We yearn for love to find a way forward, but Haynes remind us that sometimes life isn't too kind. Beats pass with such pining that it feels almost unbearable and in the midst of her problematic divorce, the outcome looks bleak. The movie's third act sees Therese attempting to find a shred of something to hold in life. What transpires is a final shot that is both heartfelt but also mighty rebellious for the time period. Love may be forbidden, but desire never fades.
Winner of Best Actress at Cannes, Rooney Mara is excellent as Therese. Given a more difficult part to play with, Mara excellently pushes this character from repressed young girl to wiser woman. Her underplaying of this role works wonders and she effortlessly carries to film more weighted content. Blanchett is equally marvellous as Carol and this character is more like a buttoned-down version of her Oscar glory in Blue Jasmine. Barely conceiving her characters grief and alienation, Blanchett strikes a powerful chord. Both are firm favourite for nominations come awards time- expect both names to appear frequently.
Todd Haynes has produced one of the pictures of 2015. Carol is rendering and deeply affecting portrait of love in a time gone by. Best get a new heart afterwards because your old one will be torn to shreds.
No comments:
Post a Comment