This movie is a must for film-lovers. It took me forever to come across it and finally commit to watching it at it's pace, but once I did, I found that it was made with a lot of care regarding the scenery, props, lighting, music, and acting. We've been exposed recently to movies that explore the evaporation of a woman's mental stability like "Black Swan" and "Girl, Interrupted," but after seeing this (after seeing M. Monroe in "Don't Bother To Knock," another fantastic film exposing mental breakdowns), I feel more like this movie tackles mental illness, women's empowerment, and the plight of elderly women trying to find a decent manicurist! (Only kidding.)
The music swells are in the right places, the practical effects during hallucinations are riveting, and the transitions from fresh to old, from light to dark, and from solid to cracked really expound on the experience that Carol (the protagonist) is living through. The jazz music as she walks from her job to her shared flat becomes more disjointed and frenetic, pumping rhythmic jaunts out the speakers instead of understandable, easy-listening music. Others have noted the symbology in the items throughout the movie having importance, as well. Catherine Deneuve gives a great performance as her life turns into a whirlpool of emotions, fears, and struggles with reality.
Other than its slow pace and drawn-out first ¾ of the film, I would recommend it highly if you're looking for a dramatic tale of psychosis in a jarring setting. Fans of "Pi," "Psycho," "Black Swan," or even "Carnival of Souls" should look into this film. You'll thank your "normal view of the world" after seeing this.
The music swells are in the right places, the practical effects during hallucinations are riveting, and the transitions from fresh to old, from light to dark, and from solid to cracked really expound on the experience that Carol (the protagonist) is living through. The jazz music as she walks from her job to her shared flat becomes more disjointed and frenetic, pumping rhythmic jaunts out the speakers instead of understandable, easy-listening music. Others have noted the symbology in the items throughout the movie having importance, as well. Catherine Deneuve gives a great performance as her life turns into a whirlpool of emotions, fears, and struggles with reality.
Other than its slow pace and drawn-out first ¾ of the film, I would recommend it highly if you're looking for a dramatic tale of psychosis in a jarring setting. Fans of "Pi," "Psycho," "Black Swan," or even "Carnival of Souls" should look into this film. You'll thank your "normal view of the world" after seeing this.