MovieChat Forums > Carol (2016) Discussion > Random Thoughts/Questions

Random Thoughts/Questions

posted 8 years ago by Persep72
10 replies | jump to latest

Hi all. This is my first posting so please be gentle with me! 😉 I have enjoyed most of the thought provoking and intelligent discussions on this board so thought I'd sign up and join the fun.

First off, I'm a huge Cate fan and find her breathtakingly stunning in every film but she outdid herself here by being spellbinding, intoxicatingly, achingly vulnerable and mysterious all wrapped up in a drop dead gorgeous package. I would, however, have enjoyed the movie much more and thought it would be better with another costar. Sorry, but I don't find Rooney attractive or interesting as an actor in the least. She is always too aloof, indifferent and cold in all of the films I've seen her in so I don't find her the least bit likable or sympathetic in any role plus she is far too anorexic and pale looking physically. Blanchett should have been paired with an equally attractive and mesmerizing screen partner. This was my biggest issue with the film and why as a gay woman I couldn't understand why a goddess like Carol would be remotely interested in the dull, mousy, indecisive and unbelievably unconfident Therese. Now Carol, any breathing human would be fascinated and intrigued by... Just my opinion.

Now questions about the film:

I found it striking how only Carol was allowed to drive on the road trip. Why didn't Therese help out on the long journey? Could she not drive or is Carol so much of a control freak that she feels the only thing she has some control of in her chaotic life right now is her driving?

Why was the letter she left for Therese so confusing? In one sentence she was speaking of eternal sunrises and their lives stretching out before them and in the next she releases her? Therese was a naive and confused little bird to begin with but I wouldn't blame the poor girl for not knowing what to make of that dear Therese letter.

Why was Carol so stuck on pleasing Harge and his family when they were in the process of divorcing? I didn't understand the lunch with Harge's mother particularly and why the mother in law was aware of the therapist Carol was seeing? If they are divorcing, why is Carol keeping up appearances of her and Harge being a couple in front of their friends/family?

Finally, I thought Carol was a rich socialite living off her husband's money, so how did she end up with a good job in the end? And how was Harge so wealthy? I mean they lived in a manor fit for a king and not some mega mansion even for Christ's sake! 😳

I'll start with these questions and add more if I think of more. For now, I'd appreciate any and all responses.

Cheers,

Persep

[–] rjmcdgll 8 years ago

I would first like to address your general comments. It’s personal taste to like or dislike an actress. However, the suggestion that Cate be paired with an “equally attractive and mesmerizing screen partner” misses an important point—the cliché “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.

Perhaps 30 years ago I attended a “commitment” ceremony between two women and the variation in physical appearance was infinitely greater than that between Carol and Therese. Love happens!

Also, there has already been some discussion on the boards about “Carol” showing two very attractive women and the question arose about whether the movie would be as successful with less attractive actors. Some have hinted that having two beautiful women in the leads panders to a male view of lesbians.

As to driving, it is very possible Therese, living in NYC, simply does not know how to drive. It’s probably never been necessary for her to learn. I never got the impression that Carol was “controlling”, rather the opposite: she showed Therese open doors and waited until Therese was ready to walk through them.

The letter—I was confused about it also until I read the message boards closely. Can’t quote it now, but there is a good explanation of the letter on the boards. In essence, Carol is telling Therese to “wait”, but unselfishly does not restrict Therese. Remember, the letter says that Therese herself has a lot to do.

Pleasing Harge—well, Carol was doing anything she could to retain custody of Rindy. Therefore, she saw the psychiatrist and attended the social obligations. How did Harge’s mother know? Because Harge was very controlling and most likely told his mother. Remember that Abby told Harge how controlling he was when he came looking for Carol.

Wealth—without having read the book, I assumed both Harge and Carol came from wealthy families—look at his parents’ home, for instance. And he seemed to have an important job at a bank, one that allowed him a driver and limo.

Carol’s job as a buyer probably came about through her social contacts.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] NeedysBoy 8 years ago

I think what rjmcdgll posted makes sense.

I would, however, add that Carol's driving maybe symbolic. After all, in the book {spoiler about the novel follows} Therese seems to be searching for the intimacy that she never got from her own mother. Carol is a mother figure. The driving might reflect this point.

 Celebrating 100 Years of DADA * Feb. 5, 1916 * Zurich

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] piwackett-1 8 years ago

Ruben,

I think you're being too literal.

I wrote this in another post: "Therese lacked a strong female influence, and Carol fit the bill for her. As for Carol, I think she finds in Therese a sort of substitute for her daughter, someone for her to nurture."

While I agree with your assessment of their attraction for one another, I think there is more going on here.

I don't think you can dismiss the book's influence on the script and the film. There are a lot of elements in the book that made it into the film, but are not obvious. Or blatant.

Subtlety rules.

: )

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] ju_lia5 8 years ago

I gotta agree with Ruben here. I read the book also and the word 'fascination' is well picked. Therese is fascinated by Carol. But i don't see a mother-daugther relationship here either. Not from Therese's point of view or from Carol's

[–] ohmemercylard-58-17610 8 years ago

It didn't have to do with desiring sex with your mother (ew) but the many roles one assumes in a deep true relationship. Your partner is your lover, best friend, mom, dad, sis, bro at certain moments in your life together.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] kozimo 8 years ago

Finally, I thought Carol was a rich socialite living off her husband's money, so how did she end up with a good job in the end? And how was Harge so wealthy? I mean they lived in a manor fit for a king and not some mega mansion even for Christ's sake!

In the deleted scene with Abby, stopping by Carols home before she and Therese depart on their road trip, Abby discusses how she and Carol used to take road trips looking for antiques for the furniture store they owned together. So Carol had experience as a furniture buyer.

Also in the scene with Abby and Carol having martinis and discussing what had happened at the lawyers office that morning, some dialogue was cut where Abby suggests to Carol they get back together and start up a new furniture store business. The scene also includes them referring to how their romantic relationship ended with the closure of their furniture business, and hints that Abby would like them to get back together again romantically. But then she jumps into discussing "having her eye on a red head who owns a steak house in Paramus".

This is all in the script by Phyllis Nagy.