Carol takes place in the "liminal space" that floats between Christmas and the start of the new year, and it occupies the space held for best films ever made that didn't win and weren't even nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards... possibly because it is a classic story told in a slightly unconventional manner or because of the same conscious or unconscious prejudices that the characters in the story itself must live through.
You can and should watch this film any (and arguably multiple) times per year: once for the holidays, once for the visual story, and once for every time you you want to feel like you're falling in love but it's complicated.
If you love the film already, then please, also listen to Subtextual's episode about "Carol" because they do an even longer breakdown and find it to be a warm Christmas hug and they're one of the best film review podcasts in general as well!
CREATIVES:
Director: Todd Haynes (Known for Far from Heaven, I'm Not There, May December)
Screenwriter: Phyllis Nagy (Based on the novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith)
Producers: Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley, Christine Vachon
Cinematographer: Edward Lachman (Shot on Super 16mm film)
Composer: Carter Burwell (Known for his work with the Coen Brothers)
CAST:
• Cate Blanchett as Carol Aird (Known for Blue Jasmine, Elizabeth, Tár)
• Rooney Mara as Therese Belivet (Known for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Women Talking)
• Sarah Paulson as Abby Gerhard (Known for American Horror Story, Ratched)
• Kyle Chandler as Harge Aird (Known for Friday Night Lights, Manchester by the Sea)
• Jake Lacy as Richard Semco (Known for The White Lotus, Girls)
• John Magaro as Dannie McElroy (Known for Past Lives, The Big Short)
AWARD NOMINATIONS
88th Academy Awards (Oscars)
• Best Actress: Cate Blanchett
• Best Supporting Actress: Rooney Mara
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Phyllis Nagy
• Best Cinematography: Edward Lachman
• Best Original Score: Carter Burwell
• Best Costume Design: Sandy Powell
73rd Golden Globe Awards
• Best Motion Picture – Drama • Best Director: Todd Haynes
• Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama: Cate Blanchett
• Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama: Rooney Mara
• Best Original Score: Carter Burwell
69th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)
• Best Film • Best Direction: Todd Haynes
• Best Actress in a Leading Role: Cate Blanchett
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Rooney Mara
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Phyllis Nagy
• Best Cinematography: Edward Lachman
• Best Production Design: Judy Becker, Heather Loeffler
• Best Costume Design: Sandy Powell
• Best Makeup and Hair: Jerry DeCarlo, Patricia Regan
Other Notable Awards
• Cannes Film Festival: Palme d'Or (Rooney Mara WON Best Actress; also WON Queer Palm) • New York Film Critics Circle: Best Film (WON), Best Director (WON), Best Screenplay (WON), Best Cinematography (WON) • Independent Spirit Awards: Best Cinematography (WON) • National Society of Film Critics: Best Director (WON), Best Cinematography (WON) • Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Original Score (WON) • Dorian Awards (GALECA): Film of the Year (WON), Director of the Year (WON), Screenplay of the Year (WON), LGBTQ Film of the Year (WON), Film Performance of the Year – Actress for Cate Blanchett (WON)
Sound Design Attribution:
- S: Sfx_Cigarette_Int_Putting out Cigarette by Group39 | License: Creative Commons 0
- S: OSS Expiration cigarette by Blowtape | License: Creative Commons 0
- S: LightingAJoint.mp3 by shelbyshark | License: Creative Commons 0
