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Caramel

Play trailer Poster for Caramel PG Released Feb 1, 2008 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 81 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
A beauty salon in Beirut is a safe haven for five women in this Lebanese romantic comedy. Shop owner Layale (Nadine Labaki) consults her employees about a problematic affair, stylist Rima (Joanna Markouzel) does not know how to handle her attraction to a female client, and seamstress Rose abandons her own ambitions to care for her family. With the support of their friends in their familiar salon, the women search for the answers to questions of life, love and happiness.
Caramel

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Caramel is both an astute cultural study, and a charming comedic drama from a talented newcomer.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Caramel is sweet, but it's never sickly, and it never shies away from how these women have to work round what society has planned for them. Aug 23, 2018 Full Review David Stratton The Australian It's one of the best films about women you're likely to see this year. Rated: 4/5 Sep 26, 2008 Full Review Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) Labaki, who co-wrote the film and also stars, maintains a knowing comic tone throughout. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 19, 2008 Full Review Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film An outstanding directional debut of Nadine Labaki. Rated: 4/5 Aug 9, 2024 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) A buoyant film filled with complex relationships and stirring performances. A tribute to the every day life of those who live and work and love in the city of Beirut. Feb 13, 2024 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault As long as Labaki resists Hollywood tropes and continues to tell stories about her Beirut, she’ll be a director to watch. Rated: A Sep 21, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A few funny moments and some nice cultural portraits of Beirut. Otherwise the highlights included someone getting a leg wax, a man having a tasche trim and a woman getting a haircut. Sorry for the spoilers. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review dustin d Caramel feels more aimed at a female audience than a general one as it focuses on the struggles of five different women, each at a different stage in her life. It is more about women's struggles than universal ones, though that is not a criticism, as there is room for movies like this. I only mention this as I recognize I might not have been in the target audience. In Caramel, Nadine Labaki proves the range of her talents as she directs with a keen eye for composition and plays a somewhat naive character who I imagine is not much like the actress/director. The movie unfolds slowly and we gradually get to know the characters and understand their motives, their interweaving relationships, coming to feel empathy for each of them. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member 5/27/2019 Nadine Labaki's ode to contemporary women in Lebanon is both triumphant yet bittersweet. The beauty salon where our female protagonists spend most of their days served as the focal venue of each of their life struggles. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review nefasto r After watching the marvelous "Capernaum" I wanted to know more about directress / actress Nadine Labaki so here I am, "Caramel" is a completely different film but just as charming. It's a cultural study submerged in lovable characters, touches of drama and comedy and some incontestable beauty. Women that are not afraid to be women, to reach their empowerment. Lovely. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent film! It shows that some problems are simply universal. The women in this film could be in one of many countries dealing with the same issues & trying to find solutions. Nadine Labaki did a brilliant job of showing the normal & mundane in Lebanon, which to most of us is a war torn country. I count this among my favorite films of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member There is a sweet charm there (it's "Caramel" after all) but it feels too unrealistic at the same time. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Caramel

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Movie Info

Synopsis A beauty salon in Beirut is a safe haven for five women in this Lebanese romantic comedy. Shop owner Layale (Nadine Labaki) consults her employees about a problematic affair, stylist Rima (Joanna Markouzel) does not know how to handle her attraction to a female client, and seamstress Rose abandons her own ambitions to care for her family. With the support of their friends in their familiar salon, the women search for the answers to questions of life, love and happiness.
Director
Nadine Labaki
Distributor
Roadside Attractions
Production Co
Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, Cinéfondation, Arte France Cinema, Les Films de Beyrouth, Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement International, Fonds Sud Cinéma, Roissy Films, Sunnyland, Bac Films, Les Films des Tournelles, Ministère Libanais de la Culture, Centre National de la Cinematographie
Rating
PG (Sexuality|Language|Some Smoking|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 1, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.1M
Runtime
1h 36m