The big picture
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Carol
adapted from a novel by Patricia Highsmith, portrays an intimate lesbian romance in the 1950s. - The film humanizes the characters and adds depth, deviating from the source material to create a modern classic.
- Highsmith's novel allowed for a happy ending for the lesbian characters, which the film maintains very well.
Since the premiere of Alfred Hitchcock suspense Strangers on a train In the 1950s, Hollywood became obsessed with adapting the acclaimed author's work. Patricia Highsmith. Highsmith's novels often deal with themes like class divisions, suppressed romance, and latent conspiracies that feel inherently cinematic. While the character of Tom Ripley, first introduced by Highsmith in his 1955 novel The talented Mr. Ripleyhas been brought to the screen more than any other Highsmith creation, his 1952 romance novel The price of salt it is largely considered one of his best works by the literary community. The price of salt too served as a direct inspiration Todd Haynes' Academy Award-nominated drama Carol.
Since Highsmith's works have attracted such prominent filmmakers as Hitchcock and Anthony Minghella, Carol he certainly had his work cut out for him. Having said that, The price of salt it lacks the thriller elements that made the books so popular Deep waters or The screech of the owl more sensational It was a serious romantic drama exploring the dangers of homophobia, which felt especially groundbreaking in the 1950s. Haynes, a gay filmmaker known for making poignant period pieces, was the perfect artist to adapt this story in particular Carol makes some major deviations The price of salt, but it seems as if the original intention of Highsmith's novel is respected.
Carol
- Publication date
- November 20, 2015
- Execution time
- 118
What is 'Carol' about?
Set during the Christmas season of 1952, Carol centers on a forbidden romance between two women. Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett) is a wealthy and charismatic woman in a troubled marriage with her husband Harge (Kyle Chandler). Despite the frequent arguments between the two, Carol aims to provide a good Christmas celebration for her youngest daughter, Rindy (sadie i Kk Heim). While shopping for a doll at the department store, Carol has a chance encounter with the young shopkeeper, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara). After a tender exchange between the two, Therese recommends that Carol pick up a model train; while following Therese's advice, Carol accidentally leaves her gloves on the counter. This inspires Therese to call her to report her location, sparking a more intimate relationship during the holiday season.
The most significant change from the book Carol it is the change of perspective. A price of salt it is written in the third person, but mainly details Therese's thoughts as she begins to fall in love with Carol. Carol is essentially an object of his fascination and doesn't show the same kind of vulnerability that Blanchett added to her performance. Therese's backstory is also quite different, as in The price of salt, aims to be a professional stage decorator, not a photographer. However, the relationship between Therese and her boyfriend, Richard Semco (Jake Lacy), is much more specific in the book. While the film details Richard taking Therese to his office a The New York Timesthe book implies that he is completely obsessed with her and that they are sexually active.
Haynes' adaptation goes to great lengths to humanize Carol, as it is important for a modern version of the story to recognize the privileges the character had as a result of his wealth. This is achieved by showing the bond between Carol and her daughter on screen, giving a window into their dysfunctional family relationship. In The price of saltRindy is only briefly mentioned in passing.
'Carol' makes major changes to the secondary characters
While The price of salt focuses mainly on the two lovers, Carol makes more effort to flesh out the secondary characters. After meeting Carol, Therese learns that she had previously been romantically involved with a woman named Abby (Sarah Paulson), as they both knew it would put their marriage in jeopardy. Carol it makes the context that much more heartbreaking; it suggests that Abby has not fully adjusted to her new life and that she may still hold feelings of attraction for Carol. However, both versions support the idea that Abby helps Therese connect with Carol, as she delivers an important letter to her after the two break up. The film makes a small change by having Abby join Therese on her journey back to New York The price of salt it showed her driving alone.
Harge's motivations are clearer Carol, as the novel is mainly shown from Therese's point of view, and therefore does not delve into her marriage. Although Harge is described in the novel as bullying and potentially abusive, Chandler's performance suggests that he still believes he is in love with Carol; he even chides Therese at one point for stealing “his wife.” Carol includes more scenes of Harge with his lawyers, in which he argues that he deserves full custody of Rindy because Carol is an unfit mother.
Does 'Carol' work as an adaptation?
Perhaps the most innovative aspect A price of salt it was that Highsmith offered his lesbian characters a chance for a happy ending; Carol ends on the same note as the novel, as Therese meets Carol at a Christmas party, and the film implies that they will rekindle their relationship. However, Therese's position is tested more severely The price of saltas he sees himself on a failed date with another woman after assuming he won't be able to reunite with Carol.
The price of salt it was a notable work within Highsmith's career for a reason, however Haynes made the right changes to make the situation of the characters more intimate. Expanding on the backstories of both characters helped Haynes give both Carol and Therese defining qualities that did not relate exclusively to their sexuality. Carol is not only one of the best Highsmith adaptations ever made, but a modern classic that will no doubt be well remembered in the decades to come.
Carol is available to watch on Netflix in the US
Watch on Netflix
