Caramel (2008) Synopsis:
In Beirut, five women meet regularly in a beauty salon, a colorful and sensual microcosm of the city where several generations come into contact, talk and confide in each other. In the salon, their intimate and liberated conversations revolve around men, sex and motherhood, between haircuts and sugar waxing with caramel.
Caramel (2008) Movie Review:
It's lovely to see a film from the Middle East that never mentions politics or war. No, this is a girly ensemble romance, and it carries strong resonance for viewers in any culture.
Three women working in a Beirut beauty salon face romantic redicaments. Layale (Labaki) is seeing a married man, hoping against hope that he'll leave his wife, even as a young cop (Karam) has his eye on her. Nisrine (Elmasri) is getting married to Bassam (Antar) and has a secret she needs to deal with. And Rima (Moukarzel) may be falling for a female customer (Safa). Meanwhile, their actress-diva friend (Aouad) is auditioning for roles she's perhaps too old for, and their seamstress neighbour (Haddad) is romancing a customer (Staneofski) with interference from her delusional sister (Semaan).
Despite the light tone, the film touches on serious issues from the multi-religious Lebanese culture, gently addressing the disparity in both Christian and Muslim communities between what people should do and what they're actually up to. In other words, it's pretty much just like any community on earth. And director-cowriter-star Labaki adeptly captures a natural tone with the help of her solid, likeable supporting cast.
That said, it's not a very profound movie. The title refers to the sugaring beauty treatment, which implies that these women will endure quick, sharp pain in their love lives but emerge with confidence and success. The title also applies to the film's golden hue, with warm cinematography that looks delicious enough to lick. It's a fascinating approach, made more engaging by the often hilarious misadventures of these complex women.
In the end, the breezy tone allows the film to drag. Just when it should be deepening into something much more potent, it remains safely in the emotional zone. We do identify with these women in their joy and sorrow, but we wait in vain for the script to push them just a little further into all-out rebellion against the constraints of the system. What we get instead is a sweet slice-of-life that's funny, enjoyable and both happy and sad. It's also remarkably assured work from a filmmaker to watch.
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Caramel (2008) review written by: Rich Cline
7th October, 2008 
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