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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

Critics Call ‘Carol’ Film ‘Flawless,’ ‘Gorgeous,’ An Oscar Contender

The Weinstein Company

Rave reviews are greeting  “Carol” in advance of its New York Film Festival screening Friday.

Flavorwirecalls it “flawless” and “gorgeous,” with “astonishing” performances.   The Village Voice gushes about Todd Haynes’ direction.

Haynes' work  “has never been more assured, defined by silken camera work and expert framing that conveys his characters’ loneliness. … ‘Carol’ offers a mature portrait of love struggling to materialize, and survive, in a disapproving society,” the Voice says.

Haynes filmed “Carol,” set in 1952 New York, last year here with Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara,  Kyle Chandler and Sarah Paulson. (Blanchett appears on Stephen Colbert’s CBS “Late Show 11:35 p.m. Thursday.)

Blanchett stars as a wealthy New Yorker Carol Aird in a loveless marriage (to Chandler) pursuing a young department store clerk (Mara). When “Carol” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Rooney was named best actress for her portrayal of Therese Belivet.

All 10 reviews on MetaCriticwritten during Cannes were positive. Four reviewers scored “Carol” a perfect 100, giving it an average of 98 before the New York screening, and making it “a serious Oscar contender,” says the Gold Derby awards prediction site.  When an 11th review was added this week, the average dropped to 95. 

Gold Derbyalso declared Blanchett the front runner to win the Academy Award for best actress next year for the film.

Here’s the new trailer for the film. I’ll put the August trailer showing more Cincinnati area scenes at the bottom of this post.

https://youtu.be/H4z7Px68ywk","_id":"0000017a-3b46-d913-abfe-bf46d24b0000","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/H4z7Px68ywk">https://youtu.be/H4z7Px68ywk","_id":"0000017a-3b46-d913-abfe-bf46d24b0000","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/H4z7Px68ywk

No reviews have been posted for “Miles Ahead,” Cheadle’s story about innovative jazz trumpeter Miles Davis ending his five-year self-imposed “silent period” out of the public eye in 1979.

The “Miles Ahead” release date is Sunday, when it screens at the film festival’s closing night.

“Carol” is scheduled for a limited release Nov. 20, before Thanksgiving, followed by a larger distribution in December.

As I posted Monday, Cincinnati premieres are being planned for “Carol” and “Miles Ahead,” says Kristen Erwin Schlotman, Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission executive director.

Here’s the first trailer:

https://youtu.be/Lt","_id":"0000017a-3b46-d913-abfe-bf46d24b0002","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/Lt-WC9xa7qs">https://youtu.be/Lt","_id":"0000017a-3b46-d913-abfe-bf46d24b0002","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/Lt-WC9xa7qs

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.