Cairo Time

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Cairo Time

PG

Released Aug 6, 2010

1h 28m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

With some time off from her job as a magazine editor, New Yorker Juliette (Patricia Clarkson) decides to share a holiday with her husband, who works for the United Nations. Upon arriving in Cairo, however, she finds he's stuck in Gaza, and he sends his former bodyguard, Tareq (Alexander Siddig) -- now relocated back in Cairo to work at his family business -- to act as her guide around the city. Soon Juliette finds herself captivated by both the city and her companion.

Critics Consensus

Though potentially too slowly paced for some, Cairo Time lingers long after the closing credits, largely due to a wonderful performance by Patricia Clarkson.

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

The lovely twilit moments in this movie stay with one, and that summoning them up in your mind is like slowing down time.

Rated: B

Jan 3, 2011

Full Review

Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

Clarkson lights up Ruba Nadda's stately drama Cairo Time like the moon on a summer night, making every moment luminous with quiet, resigned longing.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 2, 2010

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Comparing Cairo to two would-be lovers that roam about in the splendor and complication of the city itself was a lovely idea from Ruba Nadda. It’s a perception that’s both romantic and perhaps a little naïve.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 9, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Cairo Time is an Egyptian pastime in which absolutely nothing happens. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 14, 2022

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

You may never see Cairo the same way again after it plays itself in Ruba Nadda's low-key thwarted romance.

Jun 12, 2020

Full Review

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Steve A

Watched this movie a few times over the years and always love it !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

Full Review

Ceci V

it is a decent romance film but you know the plot and the end from the beginning....the chemistry of those two was nice

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/29/23

Full Review

Abby A

Beautiful stunning movie! Gentle and relaxing to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A truly heartbreaking love story. It is like the toned-down version of Lala land. It is beautiful to watch two people fall in love so naturally, especially since they are both older. Not often do you get to see a love story focused around an older couple. The actors were beautifully natural and it made me feel like I was watching people in my living room instead of people in Cairo. I wish more people had access to this film because it is just so beautiful and heartbreaking. Cannot stress enough how much I recommend this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Dreary film with annoying musical background score.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Cairo for tourists. Full of topics and characters who do not listen each other, but it is watchable if you want some exotism.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Ruba Nadda

Director

Patricia Clarkson

Juliette Grant

Alexander Siddig

Tareq Khalifa

Elena Anaya

Kathryn

Tom McCamus

Mark

Amina Annabi

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Synopsis

With some time off from her job as a magazine editor, New Yorker Juliette (Patricia Clarkson) decides to share a holiday with her husband, who works for the United Nations. Upon arriving in Cairo, however, she finds he's stuck in Gaza, and he sends his former bodyguard, Tareq (Alexander Siddig) -- now relocated back in Cairo to work at his family business -- to act as her guide around the city. Soon Juliette finds herself captivated by both the city and her companion.

Director: Ruba Nadda
Producer: David Collins, Daniel Iron
Screenwriter: Ruba Nadda
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Foundry Films
Rating: PG (Smoking|Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 27, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 28m