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Nadine Labaki, Yasmine Al Masri, Joanna Moukarzel, Gisèle Aouad, Adel Karam ... see more see more... , Siham Haddad , Aziza Semaan , Fatme Safa , Dimitri Stancofski , Fadia Stella , Ismaïl Antar

A Beirut beauty salon serves as a microcosm of modern society in director Nadine Labaki's look at liberated conversation in a conflicted society. Over the course of their day it becomes readily appare... read more read more...nt that women are truly the same everywhere, regardless of the society they live in. While single Layale struggles with her growing attraction to a married man, Muslim bride-to-be Nisrine fears that her husband will find out that she has already lost her virginity, and Rima wages a futile war against her lesbian instincts. As with many women who frequent the salon, Jamale does everything within her power to reverse the visible effects of aging. As Rose laments the fact that she has sacrificed her own happiness in order to care for her older sister, the intimate conversations shared over the course of a typical day reveal just how universal the lives, loves, and concerns of contemporary women truly are. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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80% liked it

11,656 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

74 critics

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Nadine Labaki

Release Date: February 1, 2008

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DVD Release Date: June 17, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (1,240)

  • romy861
    April 21, 2011
    romy861
    I have been wanting to see this one since I first saw it advertised a few years back. Just seemed to be one that I never came across at the video store, or remembered to look for. When it was finally shown on SBS a few months back, I taped it, and, you guessed it, forgot all ab... read moreout it!
    Finally stumbled across it again today, (gotta love a public holiday), and finally I can say I have seen this lovely movie.
    I heard it described as a very romantic film. It is and it kind of isn't. Though there is a lot of romance and romantic themes in it, it is firmly based in reality. There is potential for almost all in this film to have a romantic ending, but not all get it........SPOILERS........ Particularly sad in the case of the older lady caring for her old mother with dementia - you literally see her lose her courage. Pretty heartbreaking to think she missed her last chance at happiness, but on the other hand, you have to admire her selflessness in choosing to care for her mother.
    Mostly this follows the lives and friendship of four women and is based around the beauty salon three of them work in. It is set in Beirut, which also gives this movie a little something extra - I found this both exotic and totally alien to my own life. You could say this is a far cry from a friendship movie such as the Sex & the City films. This somehow had more substance, while still being quite a feel good movie.
    The main character Layale is involved with a married man, which obviously leads to tears. She becomes obsessed with his wife, Christine, who is such a lovely person even Layale kind of likes her, much to her confusion. Meanwhile, Layale can't see that the policeman who works across the road is secretly in love with her and a really nice guy.
    Nisrine is about to be married and has a secret - her husband is not her "first" (I can't imagine this being a scandal in a SATC, but here it is, again, very different culture), and she decides to take some extreme action to hide her secret.
    Rima is a lesbian and is attracted to a beautiful customer to the beauty store. This relationship is implied more than seen, but done nicely. I guess maybe that would be more scandalous in this culture also.
    And Jamale is an ageing aspiring actress who is divorced and feeling her age so badly she has resorted to taping her face and lying about still getting her period to make herself seem more youthfull. Her audition screen test is funny and also heartbreaking. I really felt for all the women in this movie. Really, really beautifully written characters and story and leaves plenty to your own imagination and interpretation.
    I will definitely be adding this one to my collection!
  • flickfever
    March 17, 2008
    flickfever
    This film paints a beautiful picture of life for women in Lebanon. The movie is devoid of bombs, terrorists, military and any of the usual suspects in movies that take place in countries such as Lebanon.

    Instead, the film explores the trials and tribulations of five women who a... read morere connected by the work they share in a beauty salon. The bond they've created is a net of trust they can be assured of when it comes to confiding in one another.

    Whether it be troubles with men; troubles with customers; troubles with dealing with aging; or anything else--these women are strong characters that exude a feminist aura that is all-but absent from the portrait the American media is willing to present us with.

    This movie is a small, foreign-language gem that deals with women; is directed by a woman; but is no way a chick flick. It showcases the way of life in a country that I knew nothing about except for what I see in the news--and it's beautiful to see life being lived to the fullest by the inhabitants of a region with such a bad reputation.
  • fb1144932598
    October 4, 2008
    fb1144932598
    A lovely, sweet film. Think Steel Magnolias in Beruit. The action revolves around five women who work in, live near, or frequent a beauty salon, Si Belle. The owner realizes her affair with a married man is ending, her assistant is getting married and another employee seems to st... read morerike a chord with one of their clients. One of their most faithful clients is having difficulty finding work as an actress and model because of her age. The old woman next door is both annoying and sad. Her mind is obviously going and she acts childish in the extreme and causes problems for the woman who takes care of her. Lots of beautiful people, especially Nadine Labaki, its director and star. A wonderful introduction to Lebanese culture. A brilliant color palette from this first time director. A movie that makes you laugh while pondering deeper issues of why we love the people we do and how the little things can matter so much.
  • gator681
    February 24, 2008
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"Caramel" is set around the Si Belle Beauty Salon in Beirut where Nisrine(Yasmine Elmasri) is getting ready to be married to Bassam(Ismail Antar), just as long as he is not in jail. In other news, Layale(Nadine Labaki, who also directed) is carrying on an aff... read moreair with a married man, making clandestine meetings in parked cars. Jamale(Gisele Aouad), a divorced mother of two, has started to audition for roles again. And there might be a very good reason why Rima(Joanna Moukarzel) is not getting married anytime soon...[/font]

    [font=Century Gothic]"Caramel" is a touching and charming movie that may not seem like anything earth shattering here in the United States. At the same time, the beauty salon serves as an insightful metaphor for the diminished role of women in Lebanon where being careful is a necessary talent.(Speaking of which, could you please explain why anybody would ever want to get their legs waxed?) Regardless, what a person may be looking for could be right in front of their eyes and they don't even know it.[/font]
  • mvieaddict
    November 5, 2009
    mvieaddict
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    When I got Caramel recommended I was sceptical, maybe I won't like, because it handle some issues that I was not interested in. But ... read moreI am glad I watched, it was such an enjoyable movie. It was a story of five women who are all connected through life in a beauty shop.It mostly focuses on sisterhood, homosexuality, adultery, religion and love.I would recommend this movie to anyone because it was heartwarming and funny. Any woman would be able to see themselves in at least one of these women in this movie. Was worth watching.
  • mingsysar
    January 6, 2009
    mingsysar
    Saw this around the same time as Sex and the City and there's no comparison, except for the group of women and their trials and tribulations looking for, keeping and losing love. It's so much more subtle, beautiful, heartfelt and the Beirut setting with its intensity, culture and... read more repression makes it all the more poignant. The one who becomes someone she's not for her man annoys me, but the old woman, lesbian and the main character are all wonderful. Sweet without being saccharine, luscious without being heavy, sensual without being dirty. Simply gorgeous.
  • Parannoyed
    June 28, 2008
    Parannoyed
    Caramel is the story of five Lebanese women coming to terms with their lives, while sharing a unique bond of friendship, probably portrayed by a tangible setting, the beauty salon, helping them cope with the harsh realities of existence.
    First there's Layale who r... read moreealizes her relationship with a married man is leading her nowhere. Then there's Nisrine who is to marry a Muslim man yet faces a terrible obstacle. As for Rima, she is a lesbian. Then Jamale who fears old age and seems to encounter but failures in her professional life. Lastly there's the very endearing Rose who must chose between love or her senile mother Lili.
    Director Nadine Labaki (who also plays Layale) beautifully portrays the lives of these women without making it too melodramatic, occasionally adding dashes of humour to soften the film.

    First of all, for a film whose title is "Caramel", there is not enough caramel. Of course everyone can remember the film Chocolat (with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp) which featured the life of a rebellious woman interwoven with the art of making chocolate. And basically, the movie just oozed with chocolate and the likes. But in Caramel, caramel itself is allotted only a few scenes, namely the opening scene where the process of making caramel is introduced to us - caramel in this movie being most of all used as an epilation method rather than for edible reasons. But then I thought, hmmm, the caramel in itself is the reason why these women are together. So Caramel is an appropriate title; well, at least better than Four Lebanese Women or Beauty Salon, haha!

    The characters aren't as deep as one would think. I was expecting more depth and emotionally arousing situations. And as bizarre as it may sound, my favourite character wasn't even one of the main women; it was Lili, the mentally-challenged old lady.
    Also, I wouldn't go so far as saying this is beautifully shot because it isn't. The colours are too dark for such a film. And no, I'm pretty sure it wasn't done to create a certain style. Common sense, people! When you call your film Caramel, I bet you'll try and make the scenes and transitions look as smooth as possible, far from angular shots that make the scenes look strict and devoid of softness. Sheesh!

    Overall, a nice directorial debut from Nadine Labaki, worth a watch especially by fans of the genre. I'll definitely be awaiting her next film!
  • ileo
    June 24, 2008
    ileo
    An amazing movie! Great story plot. Interesting tales of various characters. Great cast!
  • Greenfeary2010
    September 4, 2010
    Greenfeary2010
    Caramel is a beautiful film set in Lebanon. The pictures of Lebanese culture, the imagery, all are amazing.
  • nkkigrrl28
    February 17, 2010
    nkkigrrl28
    A beautiful Lebanese film about five women who work in a beauty salon, and their individual stories. The characters are warm and endearing, and the director evenly balances the light moments with darker ones. The movie is gorgeously filmed and is very sensual and dreamy, but desp... read moreite moments of airiness, is very much not a typical chick flick. The characters are all made to deal with the contradictions and barriers in their lives. *MINOR SPOILERS* Despite a frothy conclusion, the ending is quite bittersweet. The director handles the romances of all the characters very subtlety. There is no gushing kissy scenes or epic moments of validation. Everything is alluded to, but nothing is concrete. I was left hungry for more, wanting to be with these characters longer. There is a sadness I couldn't shake off by the end. All the characters are lovely and spectacularly good-looking.

View All Caramel Reviews

Critic Reviews

Colin Covert
April 11, 2008
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Caramel is a bittersweet treat. Full Review

Andrea Gronvall
March 28, 2008
Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader

Labaki elicits expressive performances from a cast of amateurs, aided by Khalad Mouzanar's entrancing score and Yves Sehnaoui's lush cinematography. Full Review

Bill Stamets
March 28, 2008
Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times

Perceptive and poignant, Caramel observes the love lives of the establishment's owner, her employees and their customers. Full Review

Tasha Robinson
March 27, 2008
Tasha Robinson, Chicago Tribune

There's a pleasant, easygoing charm to Caramel, largely stemming from Labaki's rare determination to depict Beirut as something other than a war-torn, slowly recovering battleground. Full Review

Joe Leydon
March 7, 2008
Joe Leydon, Houston Chronicle

Its chief focus is the bonding between women who rely on each for support, and who really appreciate a place where they can let down their hair. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
February 28, 2008
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Filmgoers expecting My Big Fat Lebanese Waxing are in for a bigger treat: Nadine Labaki, who wrote and directed the film, possesses an astute instinct for restraint that makes Caramel smarter ans more... Full Review

Susan Walker
February 22, 2008
Susan Walker, Toronto Star

[Writer-Director] Labaki writes and directs with a sure hand for capturing universal truths. Full Review

Liam Lacey
February 22, 2008
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

As sugary as it may be, Caramel has a likeable edge to it, both in the natural performances of the mostly non-professional cast and the script's sardonic bluntness about social hypocrisies and the wom... Full Review

Tom Long
February 8, 2008
Tom Long, Detroit News

One of those small films that give a glimpse into a culture that's both foreign and familiar. It's filled with real-life touches and small insights and wonderfully human characters, and the whole thin... Full Review

Ty Burr
February 8, 2008
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

In a culture where female sexuality is problematic at best, how is a woman supposed to feed both body and heart? Through makeovers, support, and necessary lies, Caramel curtly answers. Full Review

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