With the 88th Academy Awards rapidly approaching, two weeks from now to be exact (that’s Sunday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m.), I thought that maybe I should educate myself and watch some of the films that are up for Best Picture, considering I’m a film major and all. Not only that, but also because I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about. So, on a Saturday night, I found myself alone in a movie theater watching Todd Haynes’s "Carol."

The film stars Cate Blanchett as Carol Aird opposite Rooney Mara as Therese Belivet. The pair play two women caught in a love affair that is forbidden by not only the public eye at this time, but also Carol’s estranged husband, Hardge (played by Kyle Chandler). Carol spots Therese in a department store during the busiest and most wonderful time of year: Christmas. Therese is strongly attracted to Carol’s aura from the very first sight of her and is highly intrigued by the concept of her.

Haynes perfectly executes author Patricia Highsmith’s novel, "The Price of Salt," which was originally published over 60 years ago in 1952. Being set in the '50s, Haynes does a wonderful job of depicting this story accurately. It looks exactly like I envision winter in the '50s to look like, right down to the fancy fur coats and authentic-looking automobiles. I wish I could have seen this closer to Christmastime because it perfectly captures the blissful and dreamlike feeling of the snowy season.

I was captivated by Carol and Therese’s enchanting romance. "Carol" is filmmaking in its purest form, encapsulating everything a moviegoer could possibly hope for: a beautiful story, incredible acting, and stunning set pieces and costumes. The romance between the two is so pure and so simple, it’s hard to shift your eyes or your focus away for even one second.

Walking out of the theater on that chilly Saturday evening, I couldn’t wait to come home and write about what I had just witnessed: filmmaking at its finest. "Carol" is a timeless and progressive film that I encourage everyone to see.