London Film Festival 2015: The 10 Films You Need To See

4. Carol

The Pitch: In 1950's New York, Rooney Mara's timid department store worker falls for Cate Blanchett's alluring, almost-out lesbian, leading to an intense, emotionally dangerous affair. Why You Should Be Excited: Aside from the obvious (two incredible actresses romantically sparring), there's a high pedigree with Carol that takes it above another sexual-repression period drama. It's based on Patricia Highsmith's novel The Price Of Salt, which has all of the internalised conflict of her more famous crime thriller novels, while Todd Haynes' direction is stylish and dreamlike, conflicting beautifully with the internal conflict. The Buzz: It was Mara, not Blanchett, who won the Best Actress award in Cannes, which hints nicely at the film's unconventional underlying theme. The film was a critic's favourite back in May, scoring rave reviews and pegged as that festival's most bona fide Oscar contender. Whether it'll see that momentum continue here is up in the air, although some artsy trailers have certainly stoked the flames. When's It Released? 20th November (US), 27th November (UK)