Carol Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Rich lady steals shopgirl’s heart (and possibly her youth) in a glamorous 1950s adultery romp, but like, in a sapphic way.

🍿 Carol: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meeting in Manhattan

In 1950s New York, Therese Belivet, a young shopgirl and aspiring photographer, encounters Carol Aird, an elegant and alluring woman, while working at a department store during the Christmas season. Their initial meeting involves Carol purchasing a train set for her daughter, guided by Therese’s recommendation. This seemingly simple transaction marks the beginning of a significant connection between them. Carol accidentally leaves her gloves behind, providing Therese with an opportunity to return them. This act of returning the gloves leads to a lunch invitation, setting the stage for a deepening relationship despite Carol’s complicated marital situation and Therese’s existing boyfriend, Richard.

Road Trip and Growing Feelings

As Carol faces a contentious divorce and the threat of losing custody of her daughter due to societal prejudices against her sexuality, she invites Therese on a road trip. This journey allows them to escape the pressures of their lives and explore their growing feelings for each other. During the trip, Carol gifts Therese a camera, nurturing her passion for photography. The road trip intensifies their bond, culminating in a New Year’s Eve encounter where they finally express their love for one another and consummate their relationship. However, their newfound happiness is short-lived as they discover that they are being followed by a private investigator hired by Carol’s husband, Harge.

Consequences and Difficult Choices

The revelation of the private investigator shatters their idyllic escape. Carol, determined to protect her daughter, makes the difficult decision to return to New York and face the legal battle. This separation leaves Therese heartbroken and questioning her future. Back in New York, Carol makes a courageous choice during a custody hearing, refusing to deny her true self, even if it means sacrificing custody of her daughter. This act of defiance demonstrates her commitment to living authentically, despite the societal consequences.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett): A wealthy, sophisticated woman trapped in a loveless marriage who embarks on a passionate affair with a younger shopgirl.
• Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara): A young, aspiring photographer working as a shopgirl who finds herself drawn into an unexpected romance with an older woman.
• Harge Aird (Kyle Chandler): Carol’s estranged husband who seeks to maintain control over her and their daughter through legal means and societal expectations.
• Abby Gerhard (Sarah Paulson): Carol’s close friend and former lover, offering support and navigating the complexities of Carol’s life.
• Richard Semco (Jake Lacy): Therese’s boyfriend who is struggling to understand Therese’s ambivalence about their relationship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Carol: “What are you thinking?” – Carol asks this frequently, trying to understand Therese’s perspective and feelings.
• Carol: “I miss you. I miss you.” – Carol expresses her longing for Therese after they’re separated due to the custody battle.
• Carol: “Don’t you know, this is no ordinary situation.” – Carol explains the extraordinary nature of their connection to Therese.
• Therese: “I don’t know what I want.” – Therese reveals her uncertainty and search for identity during a conversation in the car.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $11,800,000
• Domestic Gross: $12,711,491
• Worldwide Gross: $44,375,432

💥 Carol Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely swept away by Carol. The longing and unspoken feelings between Therese and Carol were so intense, it felt like I was intruding on a private moment. The scene where Carol leaves her gloves at the department store gave me chills. I think Carol is a beautifully crafted film that will stay with me for a long time. It’s a true masterpiece of longing and forbidden love.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of period dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ stories”
  • “Admirers of Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief sexuality”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Smoking”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A masterpiece of restrained passion, Carol captures the intoxicating thrill of forbidden love with breathtaking performances and stunning visuals. Haynes crafts a world of yearning glances and unspoken desires, leaving you breathless.
• Rolling Stone: “Cate Blanchett delivers a career-defining performance in Carol, a film that smolders with repressed emotion and societal constraints. It’s a love story that transcends genre, leaving a lasting impact long after the credits roll.
• Variety: “Todd Haynes’ Carol is a visual feast, immersing viewers in the elegance and anxieties of 1950s New York. The chemistry between Blanchett and Mara is palpable, making this a must-see for fans of character-driven dramas.

Audience Reactions

The subtle acting conveyed the complex emotions so well. It gave the movie depth.: The breathtaking cinematography really drew the audience into the world of 1950s New York.

The story was unique and captured a sense of passion, a story worth telling and that I will remember forever.: The performances by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara were outstanding and very memorable.

Overall Consensus: Carol is a critically acclaimed masterpiece celebrated for its direction, acting, cinematography, and poignant portrayal of forbidden love in 1950s America. It’s considered one of the best LGBTQ+ films ever.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Best Actress)- 2015

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The character of Carol Aird was inspired by Virginia Kent Catherwood, a Philadelphia socialite with whom Patricia Highsmith had a love affair in the 1940s.”
• “To achieve the look and feel of the 1950s, director Todd Haynes used vintage lenses and shooting techniques.”
• “Many of the scenes were filmed in Cincinnati, Ohio, which offered well-preserved architecture from the era.”

🖥️ How to Watch Carol?

Carol is available to stream on platforms like Prime Video with a subscription or for purchase on services like Apple TV and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Carol, you might like these similar films:

• Far From Heaven (2002): Also directed by Todd Haynes, it explores repressed emotions and societal expectations in the 1950s, though with a focus on a heterosexual marriage.
• Brokeback Mountain (2005): Deals with a forbidden love and the challenges of societal norms in a different time period, emphasizing the enduring power of human connection.
• A Single Man (2009): Set in the 1960s, it depicts a man grappling with loss and societal expectations while yearning for connection, sharing a similar sense of longing and introspection.
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): Focuses on the developing relationship between two women in 18th-century France, emphasizing nuanced emotions and forbidden romance.

🛒 Carol Related Products

• The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith: Experience the original novel that inspired the film. Dive deeper into the minds of Carol and Therese and explore the nuanced story of forbidden love.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Carol – Carol Aird: A stylized collectible vinyl figure of Cate Blanchett as Carol Aird. A perfect piece of movie memorabilia.
• Canon AE-1 35mm Film Camera (Similar to Therese’s Camera): A vintage 35mm film camera reminiscent of the one used by Therese in the movie. Capture the world through her eyes and experience the art of film photography.
• 1950s Inspired Women’s Fashion: Channel the elegance and style of Carol Aird with dresses, coats, and accessories inspired by 1950s fashion. Embrace the sophistication of the era and make a statement.

🎧 Soundtrack

Carol features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Smoke Rings” – performed by Les Paul & Mary Ford
• “Easy Living” – performed by Billie Holiday
• “You Belong To Me” – performed by Helen Forrest
• “The Christmas Song” – performed by Nat King Cole
• “Willow Weep For Me” – performed by Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

CAROL parody – Kate McKinnon & Kumail Nanjiani | 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards

Check out this hilarious parody of ‘Carol’ with Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani, it’s a fresh take on the movie you won’t want to miss!

Carol (2015) Behind the Scenes – Part 1/2

Want to know how ‘Carol’ was made? This behind-the-scenes video takes you on a journey through the production process, revealing the secrets behind this critically acclaimed film.

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