Carol

This film contains homosexual sex.

I didn't know that about this film, I didn't know anything about the film but i'm not bothered by films of a homosexual nature. Some people that will read this review will be bothered by it and that is why I have drawn your attention to it immediately. It is good to be open minded about things but I appreciate that some people will not want to watch this film.

Cate Blanchett received a lot of attention for this film. Her character (Carol Aird) is a woman with a child who is going through a divorce. She is actually a homosexual who has had an affair with a friend a years before meeting Therese ( Rooney Mara) who is a younger, aspiring photographer. After  a while they spend News Years Eve together and have sex. Their night is taped by someone sent by Carol's husband and Carol goes back to her home to try and settle her divorce. She admits her homosexuality and attempts to fix things with Therese.

This is a romantic film but not with the comical element. It's a passionate and moving film but also a serious film and a very sensitive one. Cate Blanchett is surprisingly good in her role as Carol. There is the temptation to become wild, crazy and horrible when things start to get bad but she keeps everything under control at all times. In her divorce scene she shows more strength that I could have imagined. Integrity is a huge part of this character and it's either something that as a person you have or you don't- you can't really act it, you just have to have it and she definitely has it.  Both her and Rooney Mara have it. They are both strong characters, which is even more surprising given that Mara's character (Therese) is a lot younger than Carol. Often in movies we see the younger character being manipulated by the older woman, who was only using her and never had any intention of leaving their husband. This is not the case, even though she gets a little hurt she doesn't cry or feel manipulated by Carol. There is nothing weak about her character and both Blanchett and Mara were nominated for best leading actress in multiple awards.

What was noted about this film is that neither of these woman are particularly thinking of men and neither of them need a man in their life. Carol is going through a divorce and Therese and her boyfriend split up. They aren't playing with fire, trying to work out who they are because they know who they are. Carol is thinking about her daughter, she has little thought for her husband and Therese rejects every approach from a man and from any other woman. It's not a 'gay phase', it's the real thing.

We wont judge you for not wanting to watch this film but we wont judge the film either for being what it is. It's a powerful and extremely good film.