This is an atmospheric movie about two people who quietly fall for each other. It takes place in Cairo, which creates it's own sort of atmosphere, and it takes on stereotypes about the Middle East--some of them are validated and others are not. The director, Ruba Nadda, is a Canadian of Syrian ancestry, and she spins a tale of two people who unexpected, almost accidentally, fall in love.
There is nothing dramatic about the affair--in fact the leisurely pace of the movie may seem sluggish to some. The fact that in the end we are left with something a little disappointing is another catch that might leave some dissatisfied. The acting will not be one of the things the viewer will fault. Patricia Clarkson is one of my favorite actresses and she does not fail to deliver here, and Alexander Siddig is sufficiently attractive in a quiet way to be a believable unintentional seducer. The air of sadness that is draped over the movie may be oppressive for some, but I found it to be soothing, and in the end, memorable.
No comments:
Post a Comment