Over the past few weeks I have watched three very different movies with very different stories, but a common theme rises out of all of them and that is love and it's difficulty to attain and keep.
In Carol, meticulously directed by Todd Haynes, rich, married Carol (played by Cate Blanchett) strikes up a friendship with shy, common shopgirl Therese (played by Rooney Mara) while Carol is Christmas shopping for her child. Through accidents, coincidences or none of the above, the two connect and develop more than a friendship. Obviously this is a problem because they both are in heterosexual relationships and it is the early 1950s when such love was scandalous. Eventually, they take a road trip which brings their true under the surface feelings to fruition.
Every part of the film is physically beautiful. The score, costumes, art direction, and cinematography are all fantastic, but the movie breathes because of the impossible relationship between Carol and Therese. Though the film is called Carol, Therese is really the most interesting character by far thanks to what should be a career changing performance by Mara. Mara gives us glimpses of what Therese is about while also remaining a mystery. Why would Therese give up everything for Carol who is self centered and wishy washy to put it nicely? Blanchett is fine in this, but her performance doesn't raise the bar on what I've seen her do before. Ultimately Carol is a very good movie because of Therese. The viewer wants to follow he journey into truth.
The Danish Girl's selling point is that it is about Lili Eibe the first person to have sexual reassignment surgery, but ultimately Lili is not the most fascinating character in the movie. His wife Gerda, played by rising star Alicia Vikander brings the movie from passable bio pic status to good but not great film. Her devotion to Lili in a time when society knew nothing about transgendered people is the center of the film.
The greatest problem with the Danish Girl is its lack of heart. It's a problematic common thread that's becomes more apparent for director Tom Hooper every time he makes a film. Eddie Redmayne gives a fine performance, but his performance here is very much about the bells and whistles of a man becoming a woman and less about building a three dimensional character. (I'd say this is even more true for his Academy Award winning performance as Steven Hawking last year). Ultimately with the Danish Girl, you are left wanting more about "supporting" character Gerda. On a side, it was also nice to get some eye candy brought to the movie by the always delicious Matthias Schoenaerts. The Danish Girl is decently entertaining, but a story like this should be more than that.
Finally, the stop motion animated film Anomalisa could be about fleeting love. However, Charlie Kaufman could have started out making a film with such simple topic but then takes it down an odd, generally fantastic rabbit hole. It's difficult to explain what Anomalisa is about because as soon as you think you pin it down you make another discovery. But to simplify it is the story of Michael (voiced by David Thewis) who is on an overnight business trip in a life where everyone looks and sounds the same to him.
The film is interesting to watch because of how finely it details the mundaneness of different parts of life. In particular, it documents life in a generic business hotel perfectly. The film takes a turn into greatness when Michael meets Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh in one of her greatest roles even though it is only her voice). Leigh captures Lisa's insecurities perfectly, and I have no doubt that the animation was crafted by watching Jennifer Jason Leigh perform it. Unfortunately, the final act fell flat for me. Anomalisa should definitely be seen, because it is a love story like no other.
Carol 8 out of 10
The Danish Girl 7 out of 10
Anomalisa 8 out of 10
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