Review of Carol (2015) by Foxgrove — 20 Nov 2015

This could just as easily be titled ‘Close to Heaven’ as this is an absolutely brilliant adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s book ‘The Price of Salt’.

An incandescently beautiful Cate Blanchett is hypnotically stunning in the title role. Unhappily married to Harge (Kyle Chandler) she suddenly finds herself attracted to (and then involved with) a much younger shop girl, Therese, exquisitely played by Rooney Mara. Both actresses hold centre stage for two hours and mesmerise throughout. Mara has never been better and understates to perfection, whilst Blanchett once again surpasses her own indelible standards with her aura, elegance and class. She is without equal at the moment, undoubtedly the best actress currently working in films. If she doesn’t nab a third Academy Award for this dream of a performance then the Oscars should finally call it a day.

Credit for this gem must also be given to Todd Haynes whose direction is a master class in precision and restraint. He has an uncanny knack for knowing how to get the most from every moment in every scene, and he has an amazing eye for detail. He is complimented in this by the superb screenplay by Phyllis Nagy. Her outstanding writing is full of subtlety and context. To this the actors bring the added nuances that enables them to completely realise these thrillingly flesh and blood characters. Between them they pull off an ending that is cinema heaven, as unexpected as it is wanted. An ending that hits all the right notes to perfection.

Past collaborators also bring their skills. Ed Lachman’s cinematography has a deliberately more subdued and grainy look than his lush work on ‘Far From Heaven’, and the colour palette is also far less vibrant. However, it is all in keeping with the period and the unfolding drama. Sandy Powell’s costumes are again gorgeous and her dressing of Mara contributes to the feeling that one is watching a young Audrey Hepburn. Carter Burwell riffs Elmer Bernstein’s astonishingly beautiful score from the earlier film, but his music is lovely in its own right. All other production values are of the highest order, as are the supporting performances of Kyle Chandler and Sarah Paulson.

A fitting and complimentary companion piece to ‘Far From Heaven’, and like that one this is a sublime film. One to see again and again.