An American magazine editor (Patricia Clarkson) goes to Cairo to visit her husband (Tom McCamus), but he’s delayed, so he sends a local friend (Alexander Siddig) to show her the sites. I really, really wanted to like this film (written & directed by Ruba Nadda), but alas, beautiful travelogue cinematography can’t save poorly-constructed & ultimately predicable plot.
*****
Penny Rants On…
OK, so we went to see Cairo Time together on Saturday night. Rich (seeing it for the first time) kinda sorta liked it; me (seeing for the second time), I hated it even more. A long discussion ensued over dinner. Turns out all Rich really liked was Patricia Clarkson. He found her performance truly touching, & OK, yes, I agree with him about that.
Clarkson is a terrific actress & she does a lovely job of conveying “Juliette’s” multiple contradictions. She arrives in Cairo expecting much-needed time with husband “Mark.” It’s not just a vacation; there’s also been some family upset that has her on edge. So when Mark does not come to meet her at the airport, Juliette is flooded with emotions: disappointment (because he’s not there); annoyance (because yet again something in his life is more important than she is); confusion (who is this guy “Tareq” anyway); & exhaustion (because of her family problems).
And as days pass without Mark (altho I’m still not sure how many), Clarkson has lots of time to depict an even broader set of emotions: reconciliation (because she realizes she’s on her own for awhile); curiosity (because she’s someplace exciting & she’s never been there before); repulsion (because aspects of the culture, like women wearing heavy veils in oppressive heat, offend her modern sensibilities); anger (because Mark is taking advantage of her attempts to be patient); etc, etc. And all the time, of course, she’s spending increasing amounts of time with Tareq–an extremely handsome & courtly man who’s not only mysteriously available but also willing (& able) to meet her every need…
And so now I’m back to hating it again, because the plot is totally artifical & almost none of the dialogue rings true to me. As much as we both love Alexander Siddig (who was terrific in Syriana & has been a favorite of ours since Deep Space Nine days), Nadda as screenwriter hasn’t spent enough time creating a believeable character for him to play. Siddig is certainly pretty, just like all the rest of Cairo’s tourist traps, but pretty gets awfully boring after awhile, especially when you’re absolutely sure, halfway thru, that you know exactly how all this will end.
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*****
So nu: what about those Israelis, Tzivi…?
20.Aug.10 
Reviews: B-D 
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Debra Granik’s first feature, shot on a shoestring, about a young mom trying to kick her drug habit. She loves her kids & wants to go straight for their sake, but the men in her life would rather she stays high. Granik & star Vera Farmiga won awards @ Sundance, & Farmiga took home the 2005 Spirit Award for Lead Actress.
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05.May.10 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
Challenging new screenplay from Erin Cressida Wilson (FUR, SECRETARY) based on French erotic thriller NATHALIE (directed by Anne Fontaine).
Julianne Moore stars as a woman whose carefully constructed life has reached a crisis point. When she becomes involved with a young prostitute (Amanda Seyfried), family & friends are baffled. Great back-up from Liam Neeson as Moore’s husband & Max Thieriot as their son. Strong acting all around & Moore goes the distance in her best part in years. Directed by Atom Egoyan. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
18.Apr.10 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
Cesar-award-winning first-person doc tied to the 80th birthday of French screen legend Agnès Varda. Starts slow & wistful, but builds to powerful, life-affirming conclusion as Varda recounts her intense private & professional collaborations with filmmaker Jacques Demy (who died of AIDS in 1990. Film not (yet) seen by Rich. Click HERE for FF2 haiku.
17.Oct.09 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
Magnificently directed by George Stevens, this film was Hollywood’s first serious attempt to grapple with the Holocaust. A touchstone in Jan’s life, but never seen by Rich. We’ll get back to you with more soon. Click HERE for FF2 haiku.
16.Oct.09 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
McGregor plays a meek accountant seduced by Jackman’s tres cool bad boy lifestyle. Rich was hoping for a more intelligent plotline, but Jan was swept along in the hot house atmospherics & enjoyed bits like Rampling’s sly turn as a Wall Street Wonder Woman. Click HERE for FF2 haiku.
16.Oct.09 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
What could be more timely than a quick-witted, candy-colored tale of a woman drowning in credit card debt?!? Fisher is adorable as someone smart enough to know better, but still seduced by store window mannequins (Hello: That’s what they’re there for!!!) Screenplay, based on Sophie Kinsella’s books, by Tim Firth (CALENDAR GIRLS & KINKY BOOTS)& Tracey Jackson (THE GURU). Click HERE for FF2 haiku.
16.Oct.09 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
Charlie Kaufman lite… & we’re not Charlie Kaufman… Not recommended by Jan. Not (yet) seen by Rich. Click HERE for FF2 haiku.
16.Oct.09 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
Not Recommended by Jan & not yet seen by Rich: Totally tedious; enormously disappointing; what a waste 
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16.Oct.09 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
BEAUTY SHOP Beirut-style successfully combines site-specific dynamics with universal implications as 5 women of various ages search for fulfilment in a society that allows some modern options while precluding others. Writer/director/star Labaki is a gorgeous, charismatic national treasure. Click HERE for FF2 haiku.
16.Oct.09 Reviews: B-D Read more Comments (0)
