Movie #1153 "Carol" is a "don't bother" film for me (except for two great moments). I guess I had huge expectations for it with the two actresses I respect (actually 3, if you count Sarah Paulson) and the director, and the fact that it's in the 1950s, but it became a huge disappointment for me. But in a year with what I think to be weak films anyway, I guess it needed to surface because the two women have some good moments --- but just some, to me. I will blame the direction on this one --- it is mistimed --- I'm not sure if that is a clear film term, but let me explain. In essence, the scenes that I wanted longer (like the high point) were too short, and the film, in my opinion, wasted too much time on flirtatious looks (sometimes leering?) , staring into space, smoking, whatever. I couldn't ever get to like Cate Blanchet's pretentious voice/character and actually didn't ever enjoy Roony Mara's mousy story either. I get how taboo their relationship is, but I just didn't like the way the director put them together ------ it seemed seedy, when it should be a normal relationship (for them!). Once again, I know it was taboo for this relationship, but still it should develop like all relationships, so we see that there really is no difference --- that's the bottom line --- it never seemed easy and I didn't know what they saw in each other (dialogue was bland) --- it was filmed awkwardly even with the two of them together in a room --- it was almost filmed as if the ending were going to be something completely over a cliff (I don't want to give anything away, but sorry that you now know they won't both go over a cliff) with that mood just hanging.....two things more to say. One, Kyle Chandler is grossly miscast......he can't hold up his weight , and the second: there are TWO GREAT MOMENTS with these two women --- I can't remember what precipitated the first look --- maybe when one of their discussions is interrupted by an outsider , and then the last look -------no speaking, no flirting with eyes, no clock moving.....time seems to stop for both of them, audience holding breath ---- if the film had more of that, it would have been a 4 or 5 with me, but with just two moments where time stands still and the camera seems to travel into both women's eyes ---- only 2.8 out of 5.
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