Review of Carol (2015) by Nick D — 09 Dec 2015

Haynes is now the master of the "woman's film," as often noted he virtually channels Douglas Sirk. But it's not the romantic or sentimental side of Sirk that we get with Haynes -- Carol is a tough version of the story of doomed love, in the case, between an older experienced married woman who also loves women, and a younger naive shopgirl who falls for her.

Haynes and his DP use the iconic faces of these two beauties in extreme closeup, allowing us to seemingly enter into each woman's inner life. And, of course, we have the now patented Haynes "look," which in this case is literally and figuratively a million-bucks look from 50's New York City and environs, rivaling the look of The Godfather.

The pricey suburban mansion where Carol lives with her angry husband and angelic child is American baronial. Her clothes are meticulous, restrained, and seductive. Mara is doing a bit of channeling of her own, namely Audrey Hepburn, whom she resembles here quite remarkably.

Altogether a moving and exquisitely rendered slice of the untold history of ordinary people.