cairo time

After seeing the trailer for this film I knew I wanted to watch it. 'Cairo Time' (2009) is a Canadian gem that has a lot of things I like most in films: a beautiful setting (egypt), great acting, and -of course -romance. Imdb describes it as such:

"In Cairo on her own as she waits for her husband, Juliette finds herself caught in a whirlwind romance with his friend Tareq, a retired cop. As Tareq escorts Juliette around the city, they find themselves in the middle of a brief affair that catches them both unawares."

My opinion is that this is an enjoyable albiet slow paced journey. Credit for the charm is due to the lead actors  Patricia Clarkson (who was great in films like 'Vicky Christina Barcelona') and Alexander Siddig who take their sweet time and share some real on screen chemistry - not the sizzling kind, but rather they were able to show two people sharing a genuine connection. Cairo itself is the other main star, this movie is part travelogue as well as audiences are treated to different views of the city and we get to see the juxtaposition of the new (highways, modern skylines) and the old (souks and majestic pyramids). 

Although the film is not terribly original and some parts seemed to stereotype Egyptians (i.e. men always starring at Juliette when she ventures out alone with a very exposed décolletage in an conservative Islamic society) or the main plot line of a married woman who travels to a foreign exotic country and finds her 'soul mate' but is torn about staying with her spouse who is completely in the dark/not present (which bears similarity to movies such as 'Bridges of Madison County' where our heroine chooses to remain faithful but we see her inner turmoil played out with a facial close up in a car) and the random wedding celebration for marginal characters for the sake of having a wedding celebration which over emphasizes the marriage/commitment dilema - there are still more positives than negatives. What saves the film are the stunning visuals and great acting. My favorite scenes included one of the couple sharing the experience of an amazing sunset at the ancient pyramids and the other scene was a good night scene where the characters accidentally share a kiss and Juliette says 'oh my!' . This movie is for anyone who enjoys traveling and solid acting.

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