Carol (2015)

Curriculum links: This case study can be used for those studying ‘Component 1: Section B - American Film since 2005’ on the A-level WJEC / Eduqas specification.

Todd Haynes returned to the melodrama genre in his 2015 adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel, The Price of Salt. Much like the novel on which it is based, Carol explores themes of love and desire set against a backdrop of social and legal discrimination in 1950s New York. 

The film is rated 15 for infrequent strong sex. 

When Carol was submitted to the BBFC for classification by StudioCanal, the film’s UK distributor, the company requested a 15 age rating. This is quite commonplace and it can be helpful to the compliance process to get an understanding of what age rating the company is looking for in advance of viewing the content for classification. It means that our expert film raters can be mindful of any particular changes that would be necessary to achieve a lower age rating.

Whilst we aim to support the film industry as much as possible during the classification process, for example by offering advice viewings, all our age rating decisions are based on the standards set out in our Classification Guidelines. These are informed by research we carry out with thousands of people all over the UK. Therefore, if a distributor requests a certain age rating it does not necessarily mean that age rating is guaranteed if it doesn’t meet our guidelines at the particular category requested. 

Classification Issues

Sex

The film’s age rating hinges on one scene when our two protagonists - Carol and Therese - have sex for the first time. 

What age rating we classify a scene of sex depends on many things including the inclusion of nudity, accompanying verbal sex references and the level of sexual detail on display. 

In 2015, our Guidelines stated that “Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed” and that nudity, when occurring in a sexual context, must be “brief and discreet”. The sex between Carol and Therese is loving and mutually respectful and the scene has strong narrative justification within the film. However, the sex features frequent breast nudity and is shot in a manner that feels tonally quite mature and more suited to older teen audiences. Consequently, we rated it 15 for ‘infrequent strong sex’.

There are moderate verbal sex references throughout the film but these are not strong in detail and would have been acceptable at a lower age rating.

Additional classification issues

Aside from the category defining issue of sex. There are some other content issues that also appear in the film. 

Discrimination

Homophobia is a theme throughout the film. The film handles the issue sensitively, serving to reflect the social and political environment of the time in which Therese and Carol are living. While some characters display discriminatory attitudes towards the film’s protagonists, the film as a whole clearly condemns such attitudes. As a result, the treatment of discrimination in Carol would have been acceptable at 12A.

Language

The film also includes uses of strong language. As remains the case today, in 2015, BBFC Guidelines allowed for infrequent strong language at 12A. Consequently, the film’s two uses of the term ‘f**k’ would have been acceptable at the lower age rating.

Threat

A brief scene of gun threat also occurs but no gun shot is fired and no one is harmed.

Smoking

The film also contains frequent scenes of smoking. Although smoking is a classification consideration, it tends to only be an issue at the junior categories (U, PG) unless it is overtly glamorised or made to look appealing to children. In the case of Carol, smoking reflects the social culture of the time and is not a primary classification consideration. 

If you want to find out more about how we classify different issues including the ones mentioned above, read our BBFC Guides. 

Discussion points

• Carol’s age rating is 15. Do you agree or disagree with the rating? What are your reasons for this?

• One of the key tropes of film melodrama is that they portray heightened emotional states. This can be achieved through narrative, performance or through the film form itself, such as through use of colour or mise-en-scène. In what ways does Todd Haynes express the characters’ emotions through film form in Carol?

• Carol and Therese are at different stages in their lives when they meet. In what ways do the two women compare and contrast?

• In what ways does the film reflect the social politics of the 1950s? Consider the way in which the film highlights the role of women and attitudes towards homosexuality. 

• Did the film end the way in which you expected? Why is it significant that the film has a positive resolution and what impact do you think this has on the reading of the film's social politics?

Suggested viewing

Far From Heaven (Todd Haynes, 2002). 12
All That Heaven Allows (Douglas Sirk, 1955). U
Volver (Pedro Almodovar, 2006). 15