Welcome to the complimentary blog post for S1, E3.
Cate Blanchett Has all the Fun
Not only does she practically get groped by Judy Dench in “Notes on a Scandal”, she is surrounded by all those amazing actresses in “Mrs. America”. And she’s been in SO many other movies. But I think in the heart of the self-identified lesbian community, she will always be remembered as Carol - from the movie “Carol”.
Who couldn’t have used a Carol in their life?? If there is anyone out there like me, growing up a lesbian and not actually knowing any other lesbians, is HARD to say the least. Don’t you wish you had someone to take you to a lesbian bar the second you turned 18?
Ella Donald breaks down our well earned obsession with “Carol” in her article “Why Carol Has One of the Most Vibrant Fandoms of Any Queer Film”.
And I would just like to add to this article, I smell a Carol Con coming.
You know, like sci-fi conventions and comic cons, where people dress up as their favorite character – or their favorite character with a twist – or their version of their favorite character!
Can you imagine all the deconstructionist Carols coming out of the woodwork? All things Carol!
A butch Carol, a no-label lesbian Carol, a queer-theory Carol, a trans Carol, a non-binary Carol. Carol as a plumber. Carol as a nurse. Carol as a Nun.
Would there be a 1950’s clothing Exhibit? Would the food court be serving shrimp cocktails and gin & tonics?
Would there be a cozy living room set-up with expensive furniture that you could go sit on and pretend you’re Carol? Would the actual car Carol drove be on display? And could you sit in it? Would there be a Carol kissing booth? Would there be a Carol Santa Clause set up where you could sit on Carol’s lap and tell her what you “WANT FOR CHRISTMAS”?
And then there would be all the people selling their fan fiction! Carol erotic stories, Carol science fiction stories and Carol coloring books for the kids!
And something really exciting would be if there were homophobic protestors outside of the convention carrying signs and shouting “Mother’s for Carol”.
But on a serious note, isn’t Carol the kind of gal you would like to have in your life, romantically and/or platonically? Really, Carol is definitely a vintage role model.
Do you know who isn’t a role model? Mildred Ratched. I can’t stop watching the Netflix series “Ratched” — it’s like watching a glamorous train wreck. And Mildred, played by Sarah Paulson, is so jaw droopingly attractive you’ll barely notice the plot line unless you through a glass of cold water onto your face. There are so many things to say about “Ratched”, I am beside myself.
And until I can collect my thoughts I would like to direct you to this review: “Ratched is a hateful piece of misogynist garbage.”
What do you think? Please tell all in the comment box below!
OK - 01-26-22 update - lots of folks have pulled their thoughts together about Ratched. Check out this articles:
“Everything You Need to Know About Nurse Ratched Before Watching the New Netflix Show” - Time
'Ratched' Is Pretty, But Very Silly - by Linda Holmes for NPR
And regarding Carol, we DO want to know! “Making of ‘Carol’: Why It Took 60 Years to Film the Lesbian Love Story”