Carol DVD Review

Directed by: Todd Haynes

Screenplay by: Phyllis Nagy based on the book by Patricia Highsmith

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy

With awards season over with for another year, it’s time for the nominees to start arriving on DVD…or, in the case of Carol, those that were robbed of nominations to be released for home viewing. After receiving high ratings and many positive reviews, it was surprising for many to find out that Carol wasn’t up for the Best Picture or Best Director titles – maybe a Top 10 home release chart rating will make up for it? Or perhaps its most recent accolade of being rated the BFI’s best LGBT film of all time?

Set in 1950s Manhattan, Mara features as timid Therese Belivet, a quiet store girl looking to turn her passion for photography into her career. After helping Carol Aird (Blanchett), a glamorous ‘kept woman’, purchase a train set for her daughter for Christmas, Therese is smitten, despite being romantically linked to reliable-but-boring Richard (Lacy). Luckily for Therese, Carol takes an interest in her too, much to the dismay of her husband Harge (Chandler), who is aware of his wife’s previous ‘friendship’ with Abby (Paulson), the godmother to their child.

After Therese and Carol run away together for the Christmas holidays, Harge lays down the law, threatening to take Carol to court to sign over full custody. Destined for a life without her child, Carol must choose between the love for her daughter and her love for Therese.

You can tell from the beginning that a lot of love and attention to detail has been poured into the film. From the costumes and scenery to the music and cinematography, everything glistens and shines, reflecting the stunning performances from Cate and Rooney. Director Todd Haynes also cleverly represents the hidden-away feeling of the relationships (Carol and Therese, Carol and Abby, Carol and Harge) by shooting scenes off-camera, particularly those involving the women of the story. Indulging in their forbidden love, Haynes catches glimpses of the pair together, making the audience want more – to see around that corner, to view the whole frame, to see them in love.

Particular scene to note – the repetition of a dinner meeting, featured at the start and end. While it plays as awkward and stilted at the beginning, after finding out the gritty details of their affair, it makes perfect sense at the end.

Beautifully shot and paced, Carol tells the story slowly and steadily, letting you absorb every detail. With themes of loyalty, family, tradition and friendship, the film will stand the test of time, pleasing audiences for years to come.

Carol is out to own on Blu-ray and DVD on 21st March.