Carol

The Gist: After a chance encounter in a New York department store, a woman's already troubled marriage becomes an inconvenience on the path to happiness.

Carol was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Screenplay, Supporting Actress (Rooney Mara), and Lead Actress (Cate Blanchett).

Mara's submission in the supporting category was controversial because she is on screen as much as Blanchett, but the studio didn't want to jeopardize Blanchett's chances and so they split the category. That's a studio's prerogative and totally allowed by the Academy's bylaws, and it's happened many times before.

Regardless, they are both absolutely terrific, but, given how hard it was for Meryl Streep to win her third Oscar, Blanchett's chances weren't looking too good, especially only two years after winning her second statuette.

The Bottom Line: Carol is a really good movie, perfectly acted and very well written. It's a wonderful love story set against the backdrop of a time when this kind of love was not to be spoken of. A must see.

Grade: 9