Caramel [PG]

Beautifully shot and subtly acted, this wonderful film gives a funny and moving insight into the lives of its modern Lebanese characters. The story revolves around five women working in a beauty salon, but even the peripheral characters, men and women alike, are subtly described personalities that seem to feel real feelings.

I have not been to Lebanon, so I cannot comment on the film's accuracy, but the picture it painted was of a country torn between modern liberalism and enforced conservatism; of characters torn between love and honour, happiness and dignity.

The characters are lovable and very human. Each is battling with their own sorrows and challenges that unfold, but the film is buoyant with their friendships, their dignity, and their senses of humour. The cinematography is absolutely beautiful too, with sensual colours, attention to tiny details, and some hilarious cuts between analogous scenes.

Many moments made the audience laugh out loud; one that sticks in my mind is the inaugural event of a man entering the salon for treatment, when the ladies stand around him, arms crossed and frowning with heads on one side, as they silently consider what procedures to deploy on their unusual client... Remembering his expression as he awaits his fate, and as their eyes alight on his facial hair, makes me giggle even now! Especially since I now know what the caramel is for...!

Purple Fox (Unverified), 19/05/08

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