Join Laura and Stephen as they continue their Summer of Love series with a deep dive into the 2015 period romance film “Carol.” Directed by Todd Haynes and starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, this episode explores the emotionally rich and visually stunning story of a transformative romance in the conservative era of 1950s America. Through their analysis, they discuss the sociopolitical context of the time, character dynamics, and the artistry of Todd Haynes, while celebrating the film's impact and beauty.
00:00 Introduction to Midday Movies Podcast
00:07 Overview of 'Carol'
00:42 Hosts' Banter and Personal Updates
01:48 Historical Context of 'Carol'
06:11 Character Analysis: Carol and Therese
12:29 Todd Haynes' Filmmaking Style
14:59 Natural Progression of Romance
15:47 Carol's Contentious Divorce
17:22 Therese's Role and Perspective
18:23 Generational Differences
20:09 Therese's Artistic Growth
21:04 Hardge's Opposition
26:48 The Road Trip
27:08 Cinematography and Symbolism
28:48 Final Thoughts on Carol
30:08 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
And look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Released this month alongside the FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025).
Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective or Facehuggers and Friends @facehuggersandfriendspod for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”
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