Carol

Patricia Highsmith created The Talented Mr. Ripley and those murderous Strangers on a Train to mainstream success. Her second novel, The Price of Salt, was released to controversial success. And now, this defining work in Lesbian literature is visualized by director Todd Haynes' latest film, which names itself for one of its two leads: Carol.

Christmas season, 1952. Therese Belivert (Rooney Mara) is a department store shopgirl. One day, she does business with the alluring socialite Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett). Carol leaves her gloves behind, so Therese mails them back to her. That's when their relationship goes from business to personal. Very personal. Therese is unprepared for the emotion when Carol's soon to be ex-husband, Harge (Kyle Chandler), shows up.

Harge starts a custody battle for his and Carol's daughter, Rindy, using Carol's past affairs against her. So Carol invites Therese for a long road trip. They'll be OK as long as they have each other. As long as the world doesn't intrude on them...

The technical experience is one reason why Carol works. The world of 1950's New York is rendered in soft, elegant colors. It's the cinematic equivalent of a quiet date with soft music. The best part of it is that we see what Therese sees in Carol. Carol is simply beautiful and mysterious. The cinematography, costume design and makeup complete her alluring, upper class look. Carter Burwell's score adds to the romantic mood without overdoing it.

The acting is the other reason. Blanchett is perfect, as usual, playing Carol as both confident and vulnerable. Therese, as played by Mara, is less sure of herself but good-hearted. Their romantic chemistry is just as believable as the best "traditional" cinematic couples. Chandler's Harge is both a brutish bore and a desperate fool whose actions are unsympathetic and desperate. Abby (Sarah Paulson), Carol's ex-lover and still friend, sternly stands between Harge and the two lovers with ease.

Carol attracts Oscar attention with graceful subtlety instead of loud begging. That makes it the right kind of Oscar Bait. A casual moviegoer will experience a great cinematic love story. Its themes of romance and friendship will transcend any reservations about its "un-traditional" subject matter.