The Most Interesting Scene In Carol
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- Опубліковано 12 чер 2024
- There's one scene in Carol (2015) that wasn't in the novel. And yet, somehow, it demonstrates what makes Carol such an authentic adaptation.
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0:00 Intro
2:59 Plot Summary
7:10 Reinventing Carol
17:25 Reflected in Glass
25:30 Outro
Paper texture by
www.photos-public-domain.com/
Music by
Cis minor - / cis-minor
Scott Buckley - www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/
Wphmusic - / wph-music - Фільми й анімація
What’s so brilliant is that it uniquely understands the complexity of gay love. So often, it feels like gay romance when written by straight people, tries to put parameters of heterosexuality onto it. Questions like “does she feel the same?” become dangerous in a gay setting.
Wait what do you mean?
¿pero la persona que escribio esto no es hetero es gay.....
Carol was written by a lesbian :)
Exactly, this is set in the 50s so carol has to be subtle. She doesn’t know whether or not Therese is lesbian bc that kind of thing was taboo then
@@georgi1690 I know but can u imagine alll the how down lows back then I would of been getting my cheeks clapped wearing that red A proudly !
The book actually made it very clear that Carol's choice to give up fighting for custody of her daughter was an act of courage and self preservation.
revisiting carol years later has made me appreciate it so much more - especially considering i watched it as a younger, questioning gay person and i am now fully aware of being a lesbian. i used this film as an outlet but now i see its entire artistry
I really hope the most interesting scene becomes a long running series.
Hear, hear, 🗣🗣🗣
Yeeezs 🤍
o yeah....in my dreams as well.....
One of my favourite films, ever. Close to perfect in every aspect.
I agree! Like it’s beyond just a lgbt film it’s just a GREAT movie 🎥
i agree. its one of the most perfect films ive seen in my entire life. my #1 favorite movie
The book is better ,read it
@@iliketowatchvideos47hard to imagine not watching Blanchett and Rooney. 💕💜💕💜
Now I love video essays, but I've never felt such emotions from one. As a young lesbian, thank you. Thank you so much.
One of the best descriptions of adaptations I’ve ever heard is the ability to capture the ‘spirit/soul’ of the source material. As long as that remains you can make whatever changes you need. That’s always stuck with me.
Great essay. Thanks for sharing.
Agreed, it's the spirit of the thing that matters, but what that means exactly can be a hard thing to articulate. Which is why I think Carol is a great case study for learning about adaptation.
@@JamesWoodall yes, it did occur to me after I posted that it’s a bit of an abstract concept. Of course, if we had it all figured out, we wouldn’t still have arguments over what makes a good adaptation, haha.
Hear, hear, 🗣🗣🗣
Another fantastic video. I'm loving these dives into "Most Interesting Scenes". Thank you!
Hear, hear, 🗣🗣🗣
I hadn't seen Carol before - and I sat down and watched the whole movie, just so that I could then watch and enjoy your video in full. I'm seconding what others have said, in that I really enjoy your videos and am loving your approach to these dives. Really stellar work. The level of thought + the attention to detail that you put into making these video essays has made an instant fan out of me.
Same
The music by Carter Burwell definitely plays a very relevant role throughout the whole film. Thanks for your anaysis and comments.
Carol is such an important movie to me and so many others. I was asolutely obsessed about it for a period. I watched it, over and over and over... it's the first time I felt so many emotions watching a romance movie. As a queer person I never really understood these. Didn't cared. But now I do and for that I am so, so grateful. It changed my life. Literally.
Tomorrow I leave my hometown, and I'm pretty sure I will take the dvd with me, even if my crazy obessive period has passed ahah
Thank you for this beautiful video (honestly great translation of the atmosphere of the movie ahah! I cried by the end :')
Thank you so much for your work!
I am currently in the throws of the obsessive period you spoke of. I watched it for the 1st time a week ago today, and I haven't stopped watching it since. I am so relieved that I am not the ONLY person. ❤
that is so funny, I am living the same thing. I thought there was something strange about my addiction to the film, I mean I watched it 7 times in a week haha ! @@1stLadyAjavon
@@agathebf3787ihave addiction to the ending
@@buakawbanchamek6160 same for me, you can really see Therese's gaze changing, from "you hurt me" to "I love you" in like 3sec ! the whole movie is a masterpiece
@@agathebf3787 wow , you're a feeling dictionary, such an interpretation
I just rewatched this movie for like the fourth time (it became a christmas tradition) and I always noticed new little things that I didn't see before. This was so insightful though, because I don't know much about the original source material! It's so nice people are still making videos about this movie after 6 years of being out. :)
Another brilliant video on top of Devil Wears Prada, please keep these coming!
Hear, hear, 🗣🗣🗣
I love this movie so much... The last scene, the 2nd telephone scene and the "i love you" scenes are my absolute favorites!!! Thank you so much for your great analysis on this masterpiece!!
this is beautifully made, im utterly in awe! Carol has to be one of my favs of all time
I fell in love with the story of Carol and Therese so much, I wrote my Master Thesis (in English Literature) about the novel.
Even though the novel was frist published 70 years ago, the plot still feels so real and intense and the emotions transported through the novel and film resonate with modern day queer women because of their authenticity.
This video is a perfect summary of my thoughts and analyses and give a sense of why both, novel and film, are perfect works of art.
After watching this video, I feel like I want to write another thesis to also acknowledge the movie and write a comparative analysis about this masterpiece of an adaptation :D
Good for you 😊. Also unlike other Lesbian Pulp Fiction Novels the two had a chance of a happy ending
I'd love to read that 🙂
@@simonewaschik8506 You mean The 📖
@laminage actually I meant the thesis of @RikeConstanze I would love to read 😊
@@simonewaschik8506 I have the book 📖📚 in a pdf format
I also felt that the character of Carol was much more sympathetic than in the book, Carol would actually get annoyed with Therese at times, which only happened in the movie during the scene when Harge interrupts them in the home.
I did not object to Carol criticizing Therese or getting annoyed at her in the book. Carol is blunt, maybe too a fault, but I saw that as part of her casting off convention and steeling herself against battles with Harge and society at large, not a character flaw. Carol's swearing (mild by today's standards) I put in the same category.
And I believed the criticism of Therese's extravagant purse for a Christmas gift was perfectly valid.
I love this series, it's always fascinating to dive into a pivotal scene.
cate and rooney were amazing in this film it’s one of my favourites
Now, I liked this film before, but I never understood how well done and thought out it actually was. Thank you for your insight, finding the details and explaining it so wonderfully.
(I'm sorry if it was mentioned i haven't seen a lot of ppl cover this topic)I wish you also highlighted the call and response of the music, it being the clarinet and piano and string instruments most likely during vivid and important scenes. Such as when she's on the train ride after going to Carol's house. Or the scene right after when Therese made it home
The call and response is hinting at the two characters, one being Carol, which is the bigger more open sound, as you see she oftenly tries to get Therese to open up more and explain her feelings. While on the other hand, Therese voicing is the rather much softer response of the music. Regardless if the back and forth is clarinet to piano or Cello to piano. And when they both get louder it's basically like the aura around them changing and suddenly shifting
I also wanted to add that due to this, the music will take big development changes when it comes to plot or when significant moments btw Carol and Therese happen. Majority of the big moments are during the beginning. The more softer and louder call and responses are in the middle. And these two themes both collide whenever Carol leaves at Waterloo.
I myself am an actual musician and this is something that I've learned about over the years and I seen this movie multiple times to confirm that the music is a second voice for them. In a way words cannot describe music (especially in here) is derived to help develop the tone during each situation or a break in the scenes (panning around or scene changes)
yes!!! i once wrote a paper in college about exactly this
This film is a masterpiece! The plot,the directing,the cast,Cate Blanchett is really great, the music is breathtaking!
You just made me fall in love with this work all over again! Really loving this Most Interesting Scene In ___ series.
just watched it for the first time for like a week ago, and immediately fell in love with the cinematography and how it made me feel that it's more of a love story than as a lgbtq+ story movie, thankyou for making this vid~~ 👌✨ makes me love this film more
Hear, hear, 🗣🗣🗣
I agree completaly
Yes, I also hate the idea that there is a need to label ANYTHING lgbtq+ . Like Cate has said - it's a love story. Love is the same for everyone - regardless of sexuality. As long as no one is getting hurt then who cares if it's "traditional love" or whatever they want to compare this story to, really?
@@mybiz2167 Society cares and that creates the central conflict. Who cares if Romeo and Juliet love each other? The audience doesn't care, but since their families will separate them, they have to go underground, with disastrous results.
@VixenValori It's not just a love story, it's a forbidden love story, and that's a big difference. "Carol" is most explicitly in the territory of "Anna Karenina," and it's in the tradition of "Romeo and Juliet," "Madam Bovary," etc., not "Pride and Prejdice." What's different is the reason for the scandal. In "Carol" it's a lesbian affair that causes the conflict rather than a heterosexual affair or a feud, so in that regard it's fundamentally an LGBTQ+ story.
I'm hooked by this video, really solid. I do believe Carol is best LGBT movie of all time.
Cate Blanchett can goddam act
I just love everything about this video. The clarity of the words, the editing, the subtle analysis, the music. I've never seen this film but this video got me into it and now I feel like I know it. Thank you so much for this experience, keep it up 👏
It really is my favourite scene in the movie along with the ending scene
Really interesting video. There's always new things to discover with this film, no matter how many times you see it. The custody hearing scene is one of my favourites - so beautifully written and acted. Thank you so much!
And beautifully shot
An ABSOLUTELY STUNNING video essay 🤍 thank you so much for your INCREDIBLE WORK! Made me connect with the film on a deeper level. Your video is so film-like. Thank you 🤍😌
Love to see a video essay take a breather. Beautiful and aesthetically and thematically relevant style you took on x
The analysis of cinematography is the best part. I can adapt what you said to every movie I'll see from now and ask some good questions about how movies are filmed and why in that way.
Thank you!
I found carol truly moving.Maybe as a lesbian woman the subject matter made some difference,however I feel it was unrelated in this instance.The depth of emotion.The longing glances Just magical.x
Masterful examination of the scene and the film. Well done! (and my God WHAT a writer Highsmith is. An absolute genius with a turn of phrase).
What I love about Carol is both women were feminine and didn't seem gay - I saw myself in them. I'm gay however I don't look gay, and I certainly don't act it. I'm feminine and prefer a feminine partner. I find most lgbt movies to be made with the same ingredients, they are all rather... obvious. For me, Carol was a breath of fresh air, it was another way of looking at a female couple. And the hopeful ending was a relief for once. My only two critiques of the movie are that the first love scene was a bit tame, I felt it needed more passion. And lastly, I didn't enjoy some of the angles or the constant reflections of windows, mirrors, etc. I know it's an artistic aesthetic but I REALLY like looking at the character's face, so having it distorted was a bit frustrating for me. Other than that, everything about this movie is excellent. Cate Blanchett looking like a total woman and Rooney Mara looking like Audrey Hepburn - it's just beautiful. It's one of my favorite lgbt movies.
I know what you mean about femme to femme. This was very challenging for me coming out in the late 70s when a lot of lesbians were rejecting "traditional" standards of beauty. And being femme was looked down upon, and/or meant you were supposed to be attracted to butch women, which I generally haven't been.
It's much less restrictive now, thankfully. I wish that had been true when I was young and coming out, but better late than never ...
About the angles or the constant reflections of windows, mirrors ... , Todd Haynes draws his inspiration from street photographers Saul Leiter and Vivian Maier, and for the architecture, from Hopper's paintings. 🙂
Single? 😂❤
@@melodiefrances3898feminity was rejected amongst lesbian back then?
Looking gay is a stupid thing to say tbh
I watched Carol before knowing about the book, fell in love with the book as I read it, and then was in awe of the film after watching it again. They stand perfectly well by themselves but are so delightful to experience in the context of each other, like most well-made adaptations.
Great videol!!
Brilliant piece! Thank you so much for this. I've never heard such poignant, detailed insights and perspectives about adapting a book to film. Spectacularly well done.
Carol is a perfect film. There is a reason why there is such a thing as, “the cult of Carol”.
Fantastic.I'm currenty reading the book and I'm just falling in love with the story over and over again. Loved your video.
I clicked on this, decided I want to watch it because I don't know... And that was the best 30 mins of my life
this is a fantastic video, I keep coming back to it! You deserve hundreds of thousands more views
Another great and interesting video.
What a superb analysis
Who did the audio narration? It wasn't a mistake. Therese wanted to show that she had asserted her independence. God Bless Phyllis Nagy. Even after nearly Six Years, Carol is a Cult Classic. In Japan alot of women said they had a "Therese" in their lives too.
Can we talk about how briliant this video was? on top of a great topic, it was such a nice watch, just like the briliant movie. Well done James!
I really love your Most Interesting Scene series. I hope you continue it. A really lovely video essay thank you!
I believe the 1985 movie Desert Hearts also had a similar ending? I loved both. Wonderful job on this review 👏
That is correct…But the even more amazing thing is, that it was made in the 1980s… and on general release too !!!!…. Quite something !!! the two leads were brilliant…as were the whole cast ( including the producer/director, Donna Dietch, in a brief appearance in a casino scene)…Similarly, there was predominantly an intention to see it as a ‘love story’ between two people…end of 👍…and it was just that….
I never comment on videos, but I have to. Please, keep going. Do what you’re doing. “Most Interesting Scene” is delightful. I’m so excited to find you at the beginning of this.
Wow every video of yours blows me away with its depth and sincerity. Kudos
Excellent video! I’ve only discovered this movie yesterday & I love it!! I rented it & then I immediately watched it again & bought it. Not only the story but the film itself is quite beautiful. Oftentimes people say the book is better than the movie but after watching this..I think personally I would not enjoy the novel as much. I’m so glad for the changes made in adaptation. I can’t imagine having a narration or not seeing Carol’s life the way we did. It’s just a wonderful film. And thank God for a happy ending!🙌🏻
As the video said, the book is entirely from Therese's point of view. If you get into the book, you're caught up in Therese's intense feelings and the development of the relationship, and you really don't care about what other people are doing offstage.
I happen to like the movie better, but it's not because Nagy changed the book. The people who made the movie are at the pinnacle of their professions, and everything came together in this production to make a masterpiece. As a novelist, I don't think Highsmith is in their league, but I think it's a very good novel, and if "Carol" was a run-of-the-mill movie, I would probably prefer the book.
I don't normally comment on video essays, but I loved yours. Incredible work, well done!
Such a fantastic video! So good! I hope this becomes a long-running series.
The best! Also I cry every time.
I know this isn't one of your more popular videos, but this is one of my favourite movie essays
This video was stunning. Fantastic work.
Love this! I just watched Carol and loved it
Made my cry, thank you for this ♥️
Gosh, I had not seen this film nor had I read the book, but I kept thinking "Brief Encounter". Must watch. Thanks.
more more please! loving these videos, very well made
Fantastic video. Thank you for this brilliant analysis of one of my favorite movies!
I absolutely loved this Film. It felt like falling love!
This video is absolutely marvelous. It made me want to read the novel asap. And, like many of the comments already made I wish this could be a long running series in your channel, James! It's definitely a great insight of wonderful films! Hope you can make something out of old Hollywood film adaptations as well such as GWTW! Cheers!
This is almost too good for UA-cam.
Brilliant analysis.
The lawyer office scene seems even more true to Highsmith's character, for that. Carol's parting shot at Harge "... we're not ugly people, Harge" is her warning that she is braver than he is (and is sacrificing her daughter so she can live authentically, and because to sacrifice her authentic self will be short-changing her daughter). Carol knows that Harge is a coward, and would rather deny his daughter her mother than have his dirty laundry aired publicly.
Also, Carol lived more in the short time on the road with Therese, living out of a suitcase in roadside motels, so far away from her "society life". Nagy's contrasting of her time with Therese against her "polite" life with Harge reinforces why Carol "surrenders" to Harge in the end.
As for Carol leaving the gloves, ABSOLUTELY she meant to do that! She even looks back, and her eyes flick down to the counter - she knows they're there, she's leaving them for Therese.
On re-watching that scene a couple of times, i was also focused on the only other woman in the room - the stenographer. The way she looks at Carol when she walks in is a fantastic combination of softness (pity) and hardness (contempt).
Did you read the book?
Yes, i have read the book. Might read it again now!
@@karendownes4864 haha ,i really wanted to see how carol greet therese with here hands at the end
I STILL WANT TO SEE THE SEQUEL THO😭😭😭 IM MAKING A PETITION RN
I loved this depth that you explored and helped me to understand, thank you! I’m going to have to watch the film again now!
Such a very well made film. Acted perfectly.
Just watched this movie and it was INCREDIBLE. So subtle, but carefully crafted. Cate blanchett did an amazing job.
Yes!! Each time I rewatch the movie I see a bit more of her performance she’s SO good in this role
Its a beautiful Story beautifully told but the real magic is Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as the main characters. Stroke of pure genius 💕💕
When I heard that Cate Blanchett was going to play Carol I just thought "Perfect."
Gosh I love both the book and the movie so fucking much. Wonderful vid btw :D
this was an interesting take on the novel and film.one of the rare cases where both are highly recommended.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
you're amazing, James. such a great work
that was such an amazing, fascinating and smart video!!
I love this movie but it always leave feeling melancholy for past relationships that ended too so and relationships that may never be because I’m too afraid to take a chance
Watch Brazilian film The Perfume of Memory-by Oswald Montenegro-on You tube
Thank you for you insights. I love the way your mind works -- the questions you ask, what catches your attention, the systems you come up with. It's such a joy to be able to engage with such insightful rhetoric!
Masterpiece for real
this movie is a masterpiece
amazing video! wonderful edited too!
Amazing vid! I would have loved to hear you talk about "the price of salt" line in the book. I read the book after watching the movie and the line in the book hit me hard. Its interesting to know that Highsmith changed the name of the book when re-releasing it, I didn't know that.
@appleblossom101 I was totally confused by the line. What does it mean to you?
loved it! thanks so much
Wow!!! The more this film is dissected and fleshed out through superb commentary like this the more I appreciate it with each re-viewing. We are close to a 10yr anniversary of it's release and it would be nice if all involved could celebrate it in all its glory during PRIDE month in some type of setup that would include an audience. Thank you so much for this "Summary of a Scene". I will forever be aware of the subtle nuisances that were explained and relish in rediscovery everytime I watch it On Demand💯💯💯🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
Very well done. Thank you.
This video is extremely well done. Thank you
This video is trully amazing. I have loved Carol since the first time I watched it and now I'm trying to get the book (is not that easy in my country). I always thought that Carol has something unique compared to other LGBTQ+ media and it is the lonely and realistic queer experience. As a queer woman myself, this movie means a lot.
amazing video. thanks so much!
Very thoughtful and interesting perception
Love your video and explanation!! Would you make a video about Tár?
This channel is an excellent channel.
I'll never get over cate and this movie
This is a incredible video!!!
There were some differences. Carol comes by with The Suitcase, Richard comes by with a Special Form of A Cake, then meets Carol then they almost go for Coffee. Richard "reminds" Therese that they have a Date to hear a Friend of his playing but Therese wants to go out for Dinner with Carol.
Immaculate video good sir, you got a sub ❤️
Never seen the film, but given you work so far that I've only recently discovered, I watched with interest. Lovely video :) Nice job.
Love your videos!
I always enjoy your videos a lot more than I'm expecting, even if, like in this case, I'm not familiar with the topic at all
the custody hearing made me cry so much
I watched these video more than three times, together with The Devil Wears Prada one. Its awesome, 'cos those two are my absolute favorite comfort movies and James' videos about it made me appreciate the depth of the film more than I thought I could. Kudos! Hoping for more of your genius contents
i love this scene.
I do agree that there is room for more films on the pedistal, the thing about Carol that I'm not sure has happened since is to have so many people involved that are on the top of their field. The cinematography being one of my favorite things about it. I watched interviews with the cinematographer and the lenses themselves were period accurate too, and seeing it on the big screen, I was surprised of how grainy it was, but the really cool thing was that with the change of making Therese a photographer that worked better in the narative, the photos themselves were inspired by the kind of photography that was done at the time. They referenced a bunch of female photographers, but the main influence for the film itself was Saul Leiter, who experimented with the abstract, and color photography which was less respected than black and white film at the time. His work is really fun to experience too, I highly recommend looking it up.
I'm sure there's a lot to learn about the work of other departments, but the cinematography was the one I did the deep dive in. I've watched a lot of lesbian films specifically, and lots of the times there was a compromise when it came to filmmaking itself, there's always a ball that is dropped and Carol just succeeds in all those small ways and I think that might the the reason it got that title. It's one of the few specifically lesbian films that I can recommend to straight people, because it has other things to like if you're less knowledgeble about queer experiences. Portrait of a Lady on Fire too, is the other one I can name which, I personally find more interesting from a narative standpoint because of the artist/muse partnership it explores in addition to the romance.
I also have to give props to Sarah Paulson's Abby, who did the most lesbian thing in the whole movie by driving her ex's gf back halfway across the country after the ex dumped her.