Film Review: Caramel

"Caramel" *** 1\2 (out of ****)

I had heard of this latest film from Lebanon, but, never was interested to see it. It's not that I thought it wouldn't be a good movie, I didn't know enough about it to make that decision, I just placed other films on my "to do" list.

And now I have finally see the movie. Boy do I regret having waited so long to see this. If anyone reading this hasn't seen this movie yet, please do so. It is one of the best films of the year.

It is because of occasions like this I love watching movies. Here is something I had no strong desire to see. I knew absolutely nothing about the plot. I sat down watched the movie and felt I had discovered my own personal treasure. That's what makes movies so great. You never know what to expect. You never know where a film is going to take you. What new worlds and people you will see.

"Caramel" is one of those special kinds of movies where we feel as if we know the characters. The film has a charm that invites the viewer inside. We come to feel for these characters. We understand their problems. We want to to help. How often can you say that about a movie?

The film takes place in a beauty salon in Beirut. It centers on the workers there, four women, each of whom faces problems in love. But I fear that makes "Caramel" sound too simplistic. That description makes "Caramel" sound like a "chick flick". This is not the Lebanese version of "Barber Shop" with a female cast. "Caramel" goes deeper than that and becomes a film about women in Lebanese society.

Layale (Nadine Labaki, who directed and co-wrote the film) runs the salon. She is an independent woman, who lives at home and has been having an affair with a married woman. Nisrine (Yasmine Al Masri) is about to get married but worries she is not conservative and traditional enough for her future husband. She dresses more modern than her in-laws and is not a virgin. Jamale (Gisele Aouad) has recently divorced her husband. When not at the salon she tries for acting parts but worries about competing with the younger, more attractive actresses. And there is Rima (Joanna Moukarzel) a closeted lesbian, who doesn't make much of an effort to hide her sexuality, as she never shows an interest in men.

These ladies and their struggles seem to suggest the problems women in the Middle East face. The attractive idea of having the freedom of a Western woman while trying to please the traditional values of their families. Layale may run a salon and be successful but she still lives at home. There is still pressure on her to get married.

In one touching and sad scene, Layale wants to surprise the man she is seeing by throwing him a birthday party. Since her affair is a secret she cannot bring him home. She tries to get a hotel room but proof is needed that she is married. Each hotel she goes to she gives a fake name. Eventually one of the hotel managers assumes she is a hooker and gives her a room. In the West, a woman may not face such a problem.

Nisrine, while also financially independent and inspired by Western ideals must try to conform to please her man. She goes for a surgery to make her "pure" again.

Advancement for women has come slow to the Middle East. These women know what goes on outside of Lebanon and want to achieve the same standards, and have in their own way, but, you can only go so far when society hasn't caught up.

Some male readers may say to themselves this sounds way too feminine for them. But, as a man myself, I'm of the opinion a good movie should always be seen. Yes, "Caramel" has such cliche scenes as one of the women breaking down crying while her girlfriends come to cheer her up and offer a little men-bashing but the film doesn't become overly sentimental. The film itself is not cliche. It is fresh and vibrant.

Nadine Labaki has acted in a few films prior to this but has never written or directed anything before. She says the story is one she has had in mind for years. I'm glad she has finally told it and as someone who has never seen her act before, I hope she has much success. She has a very natural presence on-screen. Her beauty is inviting instead of intimidating.

One of my problems with the movie however is I wish it would have done more with the Rima character. I wish she would come out and say she is a lesbian. The viewer mildly gets the sense her other women known, especially after a female client always makes an appointment with her. She never gets a haircut just a wash. The mere act of Rima washing the lady's hair becomes a sexual act and is filmmed as such. But I wanted more of a confrontation. I was curious to see how everyone would act having the secret exposed.

Still, there may be many reasons Labaki avoided the subject. "Caramel" is nonetheless a dazzling film. It is a piece of work filled with beauty. Unlike caramel itself, which is used for waxing in the film, hence its title. The film does not seem bittersweet to me. It is simply sweet and wonderful. Again, one of the year's best films!