Caramel

Star Review

Alex Davidson reviews upbeat new Lebanese comedy Caramel.

A rare film from Lebanon that makes no direct reference to warfare and conflict – writer-director Nadine Labaki pointedly dedicates the film à mon Beirut – Caramel is one of the most likeable films of the year. Ignore the sickly connotations of the title (it actually refers to the wax used in a painful hair removal procedure); this is a sharp comedy-drama set around a group of women who meet up in a Beirut hairdresser. Labaki herself plays a woman fixated on meeting her lover’s wife.

This film will shatter many preconceptions of Lebanese culture. These women could have stepped out of a Pedro Almodóvar film, particularly the ageing actress who steals scenes with her larger-than-life character. Although the situation for Lebanese women is referenced – a woman has her hymen stitched up so her future husband will believe she’s a virgin for example – these scenes are handled with humour rather than brutality, and the appearance of a lesbian among the feisty females is refreshing. Poignant and very funny, it’s the best film about female friendship since Volver.

Alex Davidson on 4th September 2008

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Film Description

Romantic comedy about the day-to-day lives of five Lebanese women from different generations and religious backgrounds who all meet in a Beirut beauty salon. Layal (Nadine Labaki) works in the salon with three other women. Each one has issues: Layal is in a relationship with a married man; Nisrine (Yasmine Al Masri) is no longer a virgin and will soon be married; Rima (Joanna Moukarzel) is a lesbian in love with a client; and Jamal (Gisele Aouad) is increasingly worried about getting old. Rose (Sihame Haddad), a tailor with a shop next to the salon, has found love for the first time after having spent her life caring for her older sister Lili (Aziza Semaan). This bittersweet film tells the tale of each woman as she strives for love and happiness.

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DVD Extras

• A Conversation with Nadine Labaki
• A Conversation with Khaled Mouzanar
• At the Festivals
• Trailer.

Film Details

Technical Details