The Cate Blanchett film is a Christmas classic, but have you seen these films?
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGE BY STUDIOCANAL UK
It’s Christmas, which means sapphics all over the globe are re-watching Carol. The 1950s-set lesbian romance is one the most beloved queer films ever and certainly gets us in the festive spirit.
If you want to turn your rewatch into a movie marathon, here are four more films you might like if you loved Carol…
Happiest Season
This 2020 holiday flick was the first lesbian Christmas rom-com to be produced by a major Hollywood studio. Starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, it follows Abby who spends Christmas with her girlfriend’s family, but on the way there, finds out Harper isn’t out to her parents and they must both pretend to be straight.
Loosely based on the experiences of director Clea DuVall (of But I’m A Cheerleader fame), it won a GLAAD Media Award in 2021 for outstanding film. It also features a fab Christmas song from Tegan and Sara! So if your favourite thing about Carol is its festive timing, you’re sure to love this film.
Desert Hearts
This 1985 romantic drama is regarded as the first feature film to de-sensationalise lesbian relationships. Vivian Bell travels from New York to Reno to get a quick divorce. While there, she meets Cay Rivers, a free-spirited sculptor and the two fall in love.
The film is perhaps a west America version of Carol. Like the latter film, it takes place in 1950s America, features an age gap relationship and plenty of scenes in which two women drive around in a midcentury car.
Reaching For The Moon
Here’s another 1950s set sapphic romance, but this one is true! Elizabeth Bishop, an American poet, travels to Brazil to meet her friend Mary and her partner Lota de Macedo Soares, a famed architect. What was only supposed to be a few days turned into a twenty year stay as Elizabeth and Lota fall in love.
The Talented Mr Ripley
Carol is based on a book by Patricia Highsmith, so why not try The Talented Mr Ripley. It’s written by the same writer and this 1999 filmed version also stars Cate Blanchett. The Talented Mr Ripley follows Tom, a clever con-man who impersonates Dickie, a Princeton grad, to live a life of luxury. Though the film isn’t sapphic, there are plenty of queer moments to look forward to.
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