Todd Haynes once again proves himself the master of the melodrama with this stunning adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt.
An encounter in a department store in 1950s New York sets off a chain of events that will alter the lives of two women. Carol is momentarily smitten with shop assistant Therese. When they meet again, it’s clear that the connection between them is more than passing. For Therese, it signals the end of her casual relationship with her boyfriend. For Carol, it not only offers hope from a stifling married life, it threatens future access to her daughter.
Todd Haynes had already proven his skill at sumptuous melodrama with both Far From Heaven and the serial adaptation of Mildred Pierce. Here, he brings majesty to Phyllis Nagy’s adaptation of Highsmith’s novel, drawing on the influence of early colour photographer Saul Leiter to capture New York at the pinnacle of its cultural ascent. And both Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are perfect as the lovers.
