ShareThisThink Beirut, and what comes to mind are war-torn streets, assassinations and ... chick flicks?That could be the case after you see "Caramel," a girly gabfest that's one of the most Westernized movies ever to emerge from the Middle East. The distinctly Hollywood tone of the film is comforting in a way, arguing there's more to life in Lebanon than what we see on the news ticker at the bottom of the 24-hour-news-channel screen. But the tone will be a put-off to foreign-film audiences who'd rather steer away from formulaic trifles such as this.You know the routine if you've ever seen an episode of "Friends" or "Sex and the City." In "Caramel," a group of gal pals, all with disparate problems that will be solved by film's end, congregate around a beauty shop, then spirit off for small adventures before regrouping to swap criticism, support and advice.The stories are forehead-smackingly predictable, but the bland plotting is mitigated by graceful performances and sumptuous visuals, especially an opening sequence that shows the gooey making of a caramel-like substance used for hair waxing.Director Nadine Labaki stars as Layale, who works at the shop and is disgusted with herself for having an affair with a married man.Co-workers Nisrine (Yasmine Al Masri) and Rima (Joanna Moukarzel) are similarly vexed -- bride-to-be Nisrine because she's not a virgin, as she's led her man to believe; and Rima is a lesbian in an intolerant society. Rose (Sihame Haddad), an elderly tailor, is torn between carrying on a relationship or caring for her sister, and frequent customer Jamale (Gisele Aouad) is an aging actress with a failing career.If you think each woman will find herself and emerge happily empowered by film's end, congratulations -- you don't need to see the movie.A 34-year-old music-video director, Labaki shows promise with a smooth, artistic eye, although she succumbs to the Mel Gibson-like tendency to give herself the most close-ups.The film is pretty much an audition tape for studio contracts. Maybe Labaki should get to direct the next "Legally Blonde," and a director with something more urgent to say can take her space on the art-house circuit.2.5 stars out of 4Rated: PG for thematic elements involving sexuality, language and some smoking.Family call: Adult subject matter.Et cetera: In French and Arabic, with subtitles.Running time: 95 minutes.(Phil Villarreal is the author of the novel "Stormin' Mormon" (Publish America, $19.95). Contact him at pvillarreal(at)azstarnet.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
'Sex and the City' meets the Middle East
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