Carol the Movie

I watched "Carol" yesterday because lesbians, Cate Blanchett, and Todd Haynes ("Safe," "Superstar," "Far from Heaven"). It reminded me a bit of "High Art" because lesbians, photography, road trip ("High Art" is better). The acting, eyebrows of Rooney Mara, and wardrobe are all impeccable. Like many of the other films by Haynes that I've seen, there's a simmering, brooding tension and weirdly compelling artifice. Here, I felt, it doesn't quite work. There's just something cold and heatless -- other than that one sex scene -- about it; like, it never fully flowers. But maybe that's the point. After all their love isn't easy. Maybe the movie shouldn't be.