#3. Carol
In short, ‘Carol’ is the most dazzling, seductive, and beautiful film you are likely to see this or any other year. A new stone cold classic of the romance genre, it’s a movie that is both culturally vital and refreshingly simple in its emotional content. Most LGBT movies focus primarily on the struggle: fight for rights, fight against AIDs, etc. That is all right and good in its own way, but the fact that ‘Carol’ is so simple feels more refreshing and radical than all the others. There is some drama, sure, as there is in any other movie, but the plot boils down to little more than a love story. Though the movie is anchored by Rooney Mara’s Therese, a bookish aspiring photographer, the real draw is the titular Carol, played with movie star magnetism by Cate Blanchett (quite possibly the greatest actress alive). ‘Carol’ is a film of loaded glances, electrifying touch, and sultry dialogue. You would be forgiven for thinking it was a lost film from the 1950’s. Lastly, wait for that final shot, which will knock you out love struck, no matter your orientation.
In short, ‘Carol’ is the most dazzling, seductive, and beautiful film you are likely to see this or any other year. A new stone cold classic of the romance genre, it’s a movie that is both culturally vital and refreshingly simple in its emotional content. Most LGBT movies focus primarily on the struggle: fight for rights, fight against AIDs, etc. That is all right and good in its own way, but the fact that ‘Carol’ is so simple feels more refreshing and radical than all the others. There is some drama, sure, as there is in any other movie, but the plot boils down to little more than a love story. Though the movie is anchored by Rooney Mara’s Therese, a bookish aspiring photographer, the real draw is the titular Carol, played with movie star magnetism by Cate Blanchett (quite possibly the greatest actress alive). ‘Carol’ is a film of loaded glances, electrifying touch, and sultry dialogue. You would be forgiven for thinking it was a lost film from the 1950’s. Lastly, wait for that final shot, which will knock you out love struck, no matter your orientation.