Caramel
The Lebanese hit "Caramel" may remind a few audiences of "Beauty Shop," the female-centric, 2005 spinoff from the successful "Barber Shop" movies.This sticky sweet, comedy-drama confection certainly has a lot in common with that earlier movie. And it has some of the same problems, such as its predictable plotting and adherence to movie formulas.
However, it's not as reliant on character stereotypes or on cheap humor as the American comedy was, and it is pretty well-acted.
Lebanese star Nadine Labaki directed the film, co-wrote the screenplay and plays Layale, the owner of a Beirut beauty shop.
Most of the film concerns the various romantic entanglements of the employees and customers. Layale is carrying on an affair with married policeman. Her assistant, Nisrene (Yasmine Elmasri), is having a few doubts about her upcoming marriage.
But their troubles and insecurities are nothing compared to those of Layale's tomboyish employee, Rima (Joanna Moukarzel). She's discovered that she's attracted to other women, especially a woman (Fatmeh Safa) who's been coming to the shop simply to have Rima wash her hair.
This lesbian subplot is more implied than it is explicit, by the way. And the most appealing of the supporting players is Layale's Aunt Rose (Sihame Addad), a seamstress who longs to run off with one of her customers (Dimitri Staneofski).
Also, in case anyone is wondering where the film's U.S. title comes from, apparently caramelized sugar can be used as a tool in the hair-removal process — a replacement of sorts for hot wax, if you will.
"Caramel" is rated PG for scattered strong profanity, a brief sex scene and other sexual contact (implied), some violent warfare (overheard or implied), brief drug references, and slurs based on nationality and ethnicity. Running time: 94 minutes.
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