DVD review: Carol (4 out of 5)

Any film that gets six nominations for an Oscar demands attention, and the team behind Carol can feel justifiably miffed at ending up with nothing.
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in CarolCate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in Carol
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in Carol

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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However, 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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Carol 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