QUEER CINEMA
Carol 15
USA | 2015 118 minutes
DIRECTED BY
Todd Haynes
STARRINGCate Blanchett | Rooney Mara | Sarah Paulson
Carol stands as one of the most acclaimed romantic dramas of the 21st century, celebrated for its artistry, emotional depth, and groundbreaking representation of same-sex love on screen. Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 novel The Price of Salt, the film traces the delicate and forbidden romance between two women in 1950s New York.
The story follows Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), an aspiring photographer working in a department store, who encounters Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), an elegant and sophisticated woman trapped in a failing marriage. What begins as a chance meeting over a Christmas gift gradually unfolds into a profound connection. Against a backdrop of rigid social expectations and legal constraints, their relationship evolves with tenderness, longing, and risk.
Haynes, long recognized for his explorations of identity and marginalized voices, approaches Carol with a painterly visual style. He creates a muted, textured palette reminiscent of mid-century photography. Many shots frame characters through windows, mirrors, and reflections, visually emphasising the sense of secrecy and repression.
Cate Blanchett brings regal poise and vulnerability to Carol, a woman balancing maternal responsibility with the pursuit of personal freedom. Rooney Mara portrays Therese with understated sensitivity, embodying a young woman awakening to her desires and artistic voice. The chemistry between the two actors anchors the film, allowing the smallest gestures - glances, touches, pauses - to carry enormous weight.
Unlike earlier depictions of queer relationships that often ended in tragedy or erasure, the film offers a story of hope and survival. The film is also notable for its release in the mainstream, garnering six Academy Award nominations and widespread critical acclaim, thereby advancing visibility for LGBTQ+ narratives in cinema.
17 November 2025 MONDAY 19:30
GREEN ROOM
Tickets £7.00|£5.00 (under 26) CONCESSION NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE