If you shorten the title of a certainChristmasclassic fromA Christmas Carolto simplyCarol, the word still evokes good tidings of cheer. It also happens to be the name of an entirely different holiday story, adapted from a book dating back to the 1950s, that was ultimately brought to life on the big screen in 2015 by director Todd Haynes.
Oscar-winnerCate Blanchett has starredin a vast array of acclaimed films in years past, andCarolcertainly makes the list. Opposite Rooney Mara, she shines in an engaging, somewhat twisted love affair set in New York City during the holidays. Here’s whyCarolstill holds up as agayChristmas classic.
The History Behind Carol
As is the case with many acclaimed films,Carolis based on a book. Back in the 1950s, author Patricia Highsmith wrote the romance novel, which was initally titledThe Price of Salt. Decades later, a film began developing in the late-90s, and famed writer Phyllis Nagy wrote the screenplay adaptation, which would later become Oscar-nominated at the 2016 Academy Awards ceremony.
Carolis a story about two women who fall in love. Of course, their romance isn’t so straightforward. First, they come from very different backgrounds, in terms of class and wealth. And as previously mentioned, we’re in the ’50s, where same-sex relationships are generally seen as scandalous. Plus, there’s an age gap: Therese (Mara) is in her 20s, while the titular Carol is noticeably older.
Therese is working at a Manhattan department store during the holiday season, when the seductive Carol comes along, whom we later learn is trapped in a seemingly loveless marriage. Once the two women begin to fall in love, Carol’s now-ex-husband Harge (Kyle Chandler) tries to use this love affair against her in court amid their divorce to gain full custody of their daughter.
He even digs up Carol’s past love affair with her friend Abby (played by Sarah Paulson), and tries other distasteful tactics to prove to the court that Carol isn’t fit to raise their daughter. It’s not exactly a happy ending, but it’s a unique tale with twists and turns aplenty that rightfully madeCarolan awards contender back in 2015.
Related:The 30 Best Christmas Movies of All Time, Ranked
Why Carol Is a Timeless Gay Holiday Film
This brings us to the main question at hand: Why exactly isCarolsuch an iconic gay Christmas movie? Of course, NYC in the ’50s, department stores and all, makes for a wondrous setting for a holiday feature — the snowfall, color palette, and costumes are delicious to look at — but the story itself isn’t your typical Christmas tale. It shies away from clichéd tropes, leaving you guessing as to what’s to come as the film progresses.
Yes,Carolisn’t kid-friendly, but if you, this holiday season, are looking for something that isn’t centered on Santa Claus and his elves, and isn’t as intense as other R-ratedChristmas films likeDie Hard, Lethal WeaponandViolent Night,Haynes' film is perhaps the perfect film to cozy up to.
Though the film is set in the past,Carolraises questions about marriage, family, love, and more that are still pertinent today. And, as mentioned earlier, the performances are first-rate, and it’s no surprise the supporting players like Chandler, Paulson, and even Jake Lacy (as Therese’s boyfriend) went on to tackle other acclaimed features.
Related:15 Forgotten Christmas Movies from Decades Past
Future of the Carol’s Stars and Director
Looking ahead, Blanchett has two highly anticipated projects that are nearing completion. First isBorderlands, Eli Roth’s feature adaptation of the hit video game. There is alsoDisclaimer, a miniseries where she plays a groundbreaking documentary journalist. Mara, meanwhile, has a number of films in the works, but the one we’re perhaps most excited for is Lynne Ramsay’s next feature, another Joaquin Phoenix-starrer, following their collaborationYou Were Never Really Here.
AndHaynes' latest filmMay Decemberis now on Netflix and sure to be an Oscar contender this awards season. That’ll keep him busy in the immediate future. Plus, he has two films in development. One is titledFever, starring Michelle Williams as the iconic Peggy Lee; the other is an untitled film with Joaquin Phoenix — who, clearly, is quite busy these days — that will surely be one to monitor as more details emerge.StreamCarolon Netflix
