DVD review: Carol (4 out of 5)
Both Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara shine in this gentle tale of forbidden love.
There was plenty of hoo-ha over Mara being listed in the Supporting Actress category, even though she appears on-screen longer than Blanchett.
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Hide AdHowever, that’s old news now and the DVD gives us a chance to admire two women at the top of their game.
Mara plays Therese Belivet, who works in a department store but has aspirations to do more with her life.
One day she meets Carol Aird (Blanchett) who comes in to buy a Christmas present for her daughter.
They instantly hit it off and start meeting up socially.
However, this is the 1950s when women were still finding their rightful place in a society dominated by men.
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Hide AdCarol is getting a divorce and fighting a custody battle as her husband can’t accept the fact she prefers women.
And Therese faces making a choice of marrying her boyfriend for a ‘normal’ life or following her dreams and real emotions.
The movie is superbly shot with a real period feel.
Mara and Blanchett have a excellent rapport which makes their characters all too realistic and there’s genuine tenderness in their scenes together.
Overall it’s a touching and tender love story sensitively put together by director Todd Haynes.
Carol is available on DVD now.
Film details: Carol (15) 113mins
Director: Todd Haynes
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson