Makes one long for the days of hats.

Set in the 1950’s, a shy shop assistant, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) begins an intense friendship with a woman named Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), after being of her assistance over the counter during the Christmas sales at a department store. Both women however, are confined to their heterosexual roles. An unpleasant battle between Carol and her estranged husband Harge (Kyle Chandler) is brought to light.

What’s not to love here? From the outstanding performances, the lavish sets and costume design, period precise mannerisms, to the subtlety of emotions conveyed. The film expresses how easily one can fall for another regardless of who they are, or their gender, and is completely resistant to the use of labels.  It also carefully highlights the social attitudes to sexuality of the time without particularly giving in to them. Carol is about longing and regret, refined through an edging sense of unease. It is a surprisingly cold film.