Film reviews
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Cairo Time (Film)
Rating: M
Running Time: 90
Country: Canada
Director: Ruba Nadda
Cast: Elena Anaya, Patricia Clarkson, Alexander Siddig
Distributor: Paramount/Transmission
Release Date: August 19, 2010
Film Worth: $13.00
FILMINK rates movies out of $20 - the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worthDriven by outstanding performances, this beautifully nuanced film captures the allure of the titular city.
In this small, elegant film, the wonderful Patricia Clarkson has finally been cast in a leading role. Familiar to audiences from her numerous supporting parts, her elevation is long overdue, and Clarkson is a perfect choice for this touching love story.
On arrival in Cairo to meet her husband, Mark (Tom McCamus), Juliette (Clarkson) discovers that he has been detained and that she will have to start their holiday alone. Mark has arranged for his former security guard, Tareq (Alexander Siddig), to meet Juliette and look after her until he can join her. The jet-lagged Juliette is initially uncomfortable in this exotic city. Despite being worldly and independent, she finds Egyptian ways hard to fathom and, along with the noise and intolerable heat, her first hours in Cairo leave her feeling out of place. Seeking Tareq's assistance to properly discover the city, she begins to see it differently. As they explore together, an unexpected relationship between the two slowly develops.
Clarkson and Siddig deliver outstanding performances. In some scenes, little is communicated verbally between them, but they convey their feelings with complete clarity. Alongside the two of them, the city of Cairo itself is a main character in this film. It has been enticingly filmed, with many of the well-known sights captured in a new light. Local tourist agencies should be thrilled!
Cairo Time is a subtle and beautifully crafted film. Writer/director Ruba Nadda is a young filmmaker of Arabic heritage, now based in Toronto. She was inspired by her own journeys to Cairo, and became determined to freshly capture the city's allure on screen. She has definitely achieved her goal.
Unfortunately, Cairo Time probably won't have broad appeal, given its slow pace, lack of action, and the age of its protagonists. But for anyone looking for depth, charm and quality in their film-going, it is highly recommended.
