Carol (2015)
Carol, directed by Todd Haynes, is about an aspiring photographer, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), having
an intimate, romantic relationship with an older women, Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett).
an intimate, romantic relationship with an older women, Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett).
After I had finished watching the film, there were many instances where I was reminded that either Carol, Therese, or the both of them at the same time were all alone against the world. Their only escape can be possible when it is just the two of them, a "fantasy that might make both their lives a little easier" (Mike Powell). While Therese is just starting to question who she truly is, Carol has known for a while. For Therese, she is "trying to figure out if her feelings are reciprocated through every subtle hint she gets" (David Sims).
Carol's husband, whom she wants to divorce, Harge (Kyle Chandler) knows quite clearly her true sexuality and uses that against her in order to attempt to gain full custody of their child stating that it's on the basis of a morality clause. In order to be on better terms for her child's custody, she see a therapist, despite her distaste for it. This therapist is someone who "chalks her homosexual adventure up to a temporary lapse in sanity", but Carol knows that she is sane and whom she decides to love should be her choice, and not those around her, and chooses not to agree with her therapist's assessment. She grows her self-worth and admits her sexuality in front of the lawyers and Harge, as if she has crossed the line into not caring what people think of her anymore, even if it means being frowned upon or giving custody to Harge and getting regular visits.
Carol's husband, whom she wants to divorce, Harge (Kyle Chandler) knows quite clearly her true sexuality and uses that against her in order to attempt to gain full custody of their child stating that it's on the basis of a morality clause. In order to be on better terms for her child's custody, she see a therapist, despite her distaste for it. This therapist is someone who "chalks her homosexual adventure up to a temporary lapse in sanity", but Carol knows that she is sane and whom she decides to love should be her choice, and not those around her, and chooses not to agree with her therapist's assessment. She grows her self-worth and admits her sexuality in front of the lawyers and Harge, as if she has crossed the line into not caring what people think of her anymore, even if it means being frowned upon or giving custody to Harge and getting regular visits.
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What I find so cool about Haynes directoral skills for this film was that he had produced an image book of references for all involved in the movie to see and get a good picture for what one should wear, what props should be present, how a place should look, how one's makeup should look like, and how the actors should present themselves in the timeline of 1950s New York. Anna Leszkiewicz states that there are a handful of female photographers Haynes pulls inspiration for the film, such as Ruth Orkin or Esther Bubley. However, one photographer in particular, Saul Leiter, had a greater influence on Haynes. Haynes described Leiter's work as impressionistic through "exquisite frames, and then that blown colour palette, muted overall with flashes of colour". To top it off, Leiter's work from the 40s/50s came to be recognized as the New York school of photography. For Haynes to gather inspiration for the film timeline through photographers who are known for their work of the same timeline just goes to show how much effort, work, and appreciation he has to portraying a well thought out film.
Overall, I found this film to be better than I expected it to be.
I really enjoyed how detailed the movie was in terms to the story's timeline.
I really enjoyed how detailed the movie was in terms to the story's timeline.