CAROL stars Cate Blanchette & Rooney Mara Lesbian Love Affair in the1950's

The film CAROL is based on the novel "The Price of Salt" by Patricia Highsmith published in 1952.  The story deals with the oppressive views of lesbians considered deviant.  Highsmith wrote about her former lover, a socialite who lost her child in a custody battle based on illicit recordings of her lesbian affair.  Thankfully, the need to shield one's sexual orientation for fear of draconian repercussions in our country is a far cry from the 1950's.  Sadly, this is not the universal norm.  CAROL serves as a poignant time capsule of the 1950's when innocence was not "happy days" for gays.  Carol (Cate Blanchette) is the wealthy, sophisticated socialite who avidly pursues Therese, a young sales girl played by Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo.)  Blanchette is perfect as the cool socialite with a secret life.  Not secret to her vindictive, soon to be ex, Kyle Chandler ("Friday Night Lights.")  Mara (reminiscent of a young Audrey Hepburn) is credible as the smitten and submissive love interest.  The rapid attachment between the incongruous pair is somehow convincing.  Therese's sexual awakening & self-discovery are revelatory. Blanchette deserves praise for her portrayal of a woman fighting to live her full true life. The movie has an authentic 50's look.  Dir Todd Haynes is revisiting similar subject matter as in his earlier film "Far From Heaven." Dennis Quaid played a 1950's husband whose homosexuality is considered a mental illness requiring psychiatric treatment to absolve his sexual proclivity.  Both serve as significant period pieces that address the demand for tolerance. CAROL is also a beautiful, artsy love story between two fascinating women.