“Carol” is set in New York City in the early 1950’s right after Eisenhower’s election. I found myself transported to my childhood. Smoking was the norm, ice boxes in everyone’s kitchen, pay phones in the halls of apartment buildings and Packard and Nash automobiles were popular, now long gone. I have to admit that it made me miss much of the simplicity of those days.
The story line is simple, beautiful and sad. The gorgeous Rooney Mara stars as the young sales clerk (Therese) at an upscale Manhattan department store who aspires to become a photographer. She was cast by David Fincher to play Lisbeth Salander in the American version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” It’s a great part and she delivers a solid performance . She and Carol meet at her sales counter and they each sense an attraction. Carol is in the midst of a separation and divorce and the two begin to spend some time together. This is the 1950’s and the emotional strain and struggle that consumes them in pursuing a relationship is frustrating to watch. Haynes captures the inner turmoil and inner strength that each woman possesses.
Blanchett is amazing playing the wealthy, poised professional woman struggling to escape an unsatisfying marriage to a man who cannot accept reality. Mara is captivating as the young, aspiring city girl trying to figure out who she is and what she wants.
We’ve come a long way since those days but it helps sometimes to take a look back to remember and to grow. Todd Haynes does that very well with the wonderful help of the incomparable Blanchett and the delightful Mara. You may have a little difficulty finding “Carol” in a “theater near you” but it is worth the search.
