7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Set in 1950s New York, a department-store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman.
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, Jake Lacy, Sarah PaulsonDrama | 100% |
Romance | 39% |
Period | 17% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The concept for Director Todd Haynes' (Far from Heaven) and Screenwriter Phyllis Nagy's Carol can be traced back to the 1952 book The Price of Salt by the late Patricia Highsmith, who published that novel under a pseudonym and whose other notable works include Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley. Though it's taken more than six decades, the film has finally earned a screen adaptation and arrives when issues of nontraditional sexuality dominate the headlines and popular culture. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including nods for its leading ladies, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, as well as Screenwriter Phyllis Nagy, Cinematographer Edward Lachman, Costume Designer Sandy Powell, and Composer Carter Burwell.
Carol's 1080p transfer, sourced from a 16mm shoot, is gorgeous. As noted above, the movie is inherently grainy and soft, but details are refined within the image's constraints and context. Period attire, whether a rich fur coat, heavy suit fabrics, or more delicate garments are finely revealing. Skin showcases an array of complexities with ease. Brick, stone, wood, and concrete architecture and accents are home to a wide array of tactile, intimate textures. Colors lack vibrance, but they're exquisitely reproduced, again, within the movie's intended appearance. Nothing particularly pops, but brighter accents stand apart and consistency reigns throughout. Black levels hold firm and reveal positive shadow detail. Skin tones appear accurate, only pushing warm when lighting demands. Compression artifacts and film flaws are few and far between.
Carol's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack isn't Action-movie engaging but it's well designed and executed. Music is thoroughly rich and detailed, with positive instrumental definition, wide front stage spacing, and mild, supportive surround work. The track carries a wide assortment of complimentary ambient effects throughout, often submerging the listener into the movie's period setting. Bustle on city streets, background music and patron chatter and clatter at a restaurant, public address announcements and background elevator music in a department store, and other small details richly involve the listener in each location. The track produces a couple of more pronounced, front-and-center effects. A blaring alarm signals in the back and, with the camera's 180-degree shift moments later, transitions effortlessly in the home soundstage as well. Dialogue plays with positive prioritization, flawless clarity, and firm center placement.
Carol contains several cast and crew-specific featurettes and a handful of Q&A snippets. A UV digital copy voucher is included with purchase.
Carol tells a strongly developed and well characterized story of life and love. The narrative combines harsh realities with tender intimacies, supported by terrific lead performances and amazing technical assemblage. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Carol features standout video and good lossless audio. Supplements are informative. Highly recommended.
2017
1985
2017
Limited Edition to 3000
1960
2013
2015
1993
includes Texasville on Blu-ray
1971-1990
1945
2011
1985
1971
1937
2011
2005
First pressing in clear case
2017
2019
1995
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2019