In the second of multiple episodes about Carol (2015), the topic is the cultural impact the film had on queer people. From memes to comedy routines, Carol was adored. For this conversation, Murtada welcomes writer and film programmer Shayna Maci Warner of Critically Queer, to review the film and talk about its queer legacy.

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The film is available on vudu.

What is the film about?

From Letterboxd:  In 1950s New York, a department-store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman. Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith

Who does Cate play? 

Carol, a wealthy NJ woman in 1952 who begins an affair with a young shopgirl that has big ramifications on her life.

How is Cate introduced? 

3 minutes in as Carol and Therese are interrupted at the Plaza..yet it’s that mesmerizing first look in the department that seals the deal we are in for something special.

What year did it come out?

2015

Box Office: Domestic =  $12.7 MM, Int’l =  $27.5MM its cultural impact goes way beyond these numbers.

Critical Response: Metacritic : 94     RT: 94

Topics Discussed:

• A lesbian film made by queer people: Todd  Haynes, Phyllis Nagy, Christine Vachon, Sarah Paulson. There are some straights too.
• Desert Hearts (1986) another great lesbian film.
• The Democratization of access and how it led to Carol‘s cutural impact., see also Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1986).
• Carol’s seduction of Therese.
• Cate Blanchett’s heightned portrayal of Carol, playing both the character and the way Therese sees her.
• The innuendo, the declaring love without saying anything, the drop of the gloves. These  women use everything at their disposal to communicate; except words.
•  Rooney Mara charts a stingingly real arc for Therese from naivety to maturity.
• The chemistry between Blanchett and Mara.
• Blanchett’s ’s chemistry with Sarah Paulson – the only known queer person in the cast.
• “Mommy’s baby.”
• The memes; “Harold they are lesbians,” the support group , “gay shaking”  
• Kathryn Hahn and Rachel Weisz set to the score of Carol.

Other episodes in the Carol series:

• The Influences and Inspirations
• Cate Blanchett is the Top
• The Love Story

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