Behind the Scenes of Carol: Blanchett and Mara’s Authentic Performances

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

In May 2015, Cate Blanchett attended the premiere of her new film Carol at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. She was joined on the red carpet by co-star Rooney Mara and director Todd Haynes.

Critical Acclaim and Award Nominations

Critics widely praised her performance in the film, hailing it as one of the best of her career. She received numerous award nominations for her role in the film, including an Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award nomination.

Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara added an extra layer of authenticity to their performances in "Carol" by offering to be on the phone during their characters' conversationsCate Blanchett and Rooney Mara added an extra layer of authenticity to their performances in “Carol” by offering to be on the phone during their characters’ conversations (Credit: The Weinstein Company)

Authentic Performances

Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara went above and beyond to bring authenticity to their performances in “Carol.” Despite not being required to be on the other end of the phone when their characters spoke, they offered to do so to help each other out.

As a result, when Carol and Therese talk on the phone in the movie, Blanchett and Mara are actually on the other end of the line, adding another layer of realism to their portrayals.

A Dream Partnership

Mara, who has been a fan of Blanchett since she was 13, described working with her as “beyond a dream come true.”

Meanwhile, the three boys who run up to the model train set displayed in Frankenberg’s toy department after Carol walks away from it are Dashiell, Roman, and Ignatius Upton, the sons of Blanchett and her husband, Andrew Upton.

Rooney Mara caused controversy during the film's award-season campaign for being placed in the supporting actress category despite having more screen time than her co-star Cate Blanchett, who was nominated in the leading categoryRooney Mara caused controversy during the film’s award-season campaign for being placed in the supporting actress category despite having more screen time than her co-star Cate Blanchett, who was nominated in the leading category (Credit: The Weinstein Company)

Awards Season Controversy

During the film’s award-season campaign, there was controversy over Mara’s placement in the supporting actress category despite having 71 minutes of screen time, which amounts to 60% of the film’s running time.

In contrast, Blanchett, nominated in the leading category, had six fewer minutes of screen time than Mara, clocking in at 65 minutes or 54% of the run time.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which votes on the Golden Globes, only allowed Mara to be submitted as a lead actress. Still, many other awards shows allowed her to be submitted as supporting. Both Blanchett and Mara wore wigs throughout filming to portray the hairstyles of their characters more accurately.

Cate Blanchett was 46 years old when the movie "Carol" premiered in 2015Cate Blanchett was 46 years old when the movie “Carol” premiered in 2015 (Credit: Joe Alvarez / WENN / KIKA / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image)

Premiere Elegance in Cannes

At the Carol premiere in Cannes, the then-46-year-old Australian actress donned a strapless gown from the Giles Fall 2015 collection featuring a long train and a structured, full skirt with elaborate ruching at the back.

Cate Blanchett stunned in a mesmerizing Giles Fall 2015 strapless gown at the premiere of "Carol" during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, FranceCate Blanchett stunned in a mesmerizing Giles Fall 2015 strapless gown at the premiere of “Carol” during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France (Credit: Joe Alvarez / WENN / KIKA / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image)

It was custom-made by British designer Giles Deacon out of hand-painted silk that mirrored the sea.

Carol is a 2015 romantic drama film directed by Todd Haynes, starring Cate Blanchett as Carol Aird and Rooney Mara as Therese BelivetCarol is a 2015 romantic drama film directed by Todd Haynes, starring Cate Blanchett as Carol Aird and Rooney Mara as Therese Belivet (Credit: Joe Alvarez / WENN / KIKA / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image)

Do you like Cate’s captivating gown and makeup? She completed the ensemble with Brian Atwood shoes and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.

Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, and Todd Haynes at the premiere of their new film Carol held during the 2015 Cannes Film FestivalRooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, and Todd Haynes at the premiere of their new film Carol held during the 2015 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes on May 17, 2015 (Credit: Joe Alvarez / WENN / KIKA / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image)

An Unforgettable Experience

“It was beyond a dream come true getting a chance to work with you. I wanna thank you for always treating me as your equal even though I have not done nearly enough to deserve that,” Rooney Mara told Cate Blanchett on stage at the Palm Springs Film Festival in 2016.

Cate Blanchett's gown's dramatic ruffles, sweeping train, and alluring dark romantic print left onlookers captivated, with the actress managing to pull off the gown's complexity with utmost eleganceCate Blanchett’s gown’s dramatic ruffles, sweeping train, and alluring dark romantic print left onlookers captivated, with the actress managing to pull off the gown’s complexity with utmost elegance (Credit: Joe Alvarez / WENN / KIKA / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image)