Kevin's Watch

Carol was one of those films I should have loved but didn't. Stylishly produced and superbly acted, this early 1950's tale of illicit love between a divorcing woman and a young aspiring photographer set the critical world alight (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) but left me cold. For some reason I could not get beyond the fact that this was a film, with actors just reading lines of dialogue (it started with the ubiquitous opening 'street scene' where I could almost hear the words "....and Action!" that set all the extras walking and cars moving) and my disbelief was never really suspended. It was an odd cinematic experience and one I'd not choose to repeat. I also found the film slow and somewhat dull, which along with it's less than upbeat feel had me waiting for the end long before it came.