Carol

In mid-century New York, a shy shopgirl named Therese Belivet crosses paths with Carol Aird, a glamorous, older woman who is unhappily married. Their initial encounter at a department store blossoms into a private, forbidden attraction that challenges Therese’s sense of self and the rigid expectations of the era. As they grow closer, the pair must contend with judgment from friends and family, the demands of Carol's high-society life, and the fear of losing everything they care about. The story, anchored in intimate chemistry, follows a fragile romance that tests loyalty, trust, and personal courage. In a city ruled by outward propriety, small moments become acts of rebellion.

Directed by Todd Haynes, this adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's The Price of Salt features a screenplay by Phyllis Nagy. Cinematography by Edward Lachman bathes the story in a luminous, era-accurate palette. It premiered at Cannes in 2015 and opened in U.S. theaters that fall, then rolled out to international markets.

The film grossed 40,272,135 worldwide on a budget of 11.8 million, signaling solid returns for an intimate drama driven by two top-tier performances rather than spectacle. Word of mouth and festival acclaim helped it reach a broad audience beyond art house circles.

The film helped reposition LGBTQ romance as a sophisticated, character-driven story suitable for mainstream art cinema. Blanchett and Mara's performances became touchstones for restrained, emotional acting, drawing renewed attention to costume design, production values, and the way period sexual politics are portrayed. The film's aesthetics and sensitive handling influenced later romantic dramas that aim for subtle, lasting resonance.

Critics praised its patient storytelling, intimate performances, and Haynes's exacting direction. The narrative centers on desire, identity, and the costs of pursuing happiness within rigid social codes. The film's restrained tone and rich period detail invite repeated viewings, inviting audiences to read the relationship through both personal longing and social critique.