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critics consensus

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

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Caramel Photos

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Movie Info

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.
  • Rating:
    PG (Sexuality|Language|Some Smoking|Thematic Elements)
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    Arabic
  • Director:
    Nadine Labaki
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $1.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Centre National de la Cinematographie, Cinéfondation, Arte France Cinema, Les Films de Beyrouth, Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement International, Fonds Sud Cinéma, Roissy Films, Sunnyland, Les Films des Tournelles, Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, Ministère Libanais de la Culture, Bac Films

Cast & Crew

Nadine Labaki
Layale
Yasmine Al Massri
Nisrine
Joanna Markouzel
Rima
Gisele Aouad
Jamale
Adel Karam
Youssef
Sihame Haddad
Rose
Aziza Semaan
Lili
Fatmeh Safa
Siham
Nadine Labaki
Director
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News & Interviews for Caramel

Critics Consensus: Over Her Dead Body is DOA, Guess The Eye‘s & Strange Wilderness‘ Tomatometer!
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Critic Reviews for Caramel

All Critics (80) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (74) | Rotten (6)

View All Critic Reviews (80)

Audience Reviews for Caramel

  • Mar 18, 2014
    Despite the unrealistically attractive cast, perhaps excessive oestrogen and its deliberate angling to an international audience - I thoroughly enjoyed this film! Doesn't hurt that I watched it with two girlfriends in our room in a monastery in Bsharre, northern Lebanon. Nadine Labaki executes her multiple love stories with wryly humorous dialogue and surprising sensitivity and gently challenges the viewer with a light twist on familiar tropes. I sorely needed this contemporary view to break my stereotypes of Arab countries, and along the way found it an interesting critique of the lack of private spaces for young women in Lebanon. And Joanna Moukarzel has some pipes on her! Bottom line: If you want to watch a film about Lebanon that doesn't involve war, "Caramel" is a moving, laugh-out-loud funny comedy with plenty of eye candy.
    Letitia L Super Reviewer
  • Dec 06, 2009
    With a cast of strong female characters, each with their own story, this is a chick-flick of sorts.. but not over-the-top or in-your-face. Set in Beirut, <i>Caramel</i> touches on cultural and religious traditions but interests you with the predominant themes of love and friendship in its individual forms. I liked the backdrop, humour and overall found this movie quite touching.
    &#9829; Chani L Super Reviewer
  • May 03, 2009
    <a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i31.tinypic.com/1znn3nm.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> 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 I 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.
    Daisy M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 06, 2009
    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 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.
    Sarah B Super Reviewer
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