Review of Caramel (2007) by Hi H — 15 Oct 2008

With her feature film debut, Lebanese actress Nadine Labaki has created a film that has all the self-assurance of a seasoned pro. Sweet without being saccharine, convivial without being cloying, Caramel ambles along at a gentle yet involving pace as it weaves together the stories of five Lebanese women and the gamut of human emotions that they struggle with.

At the centre of this highly personal kaleidoscope is Labaki herself - her expressive eyes and beautiful features guiding the audience through a fragrant and mellifluous journey through a country on the cusp of a political and cultural revolution.