Cairo Time (2010)
Directed by Ruba Nadda
Written by Ruba Nadda
Starring Patricia Clarkson, Alexander Siddig
Release Date August 6th, 2010
Published October 10th
Each year there are a raft of adult romances that fly under the radar and land on DVD mostly unnoticed. Here's hoping Cairo Time starring the radiant Patricia Clarkson doesn't meet that same fate. A smart, subtle and sublime romance set against the exotic backgrounds of Cairo, Cairo Time is that rare movie that doesn't mind a little quiet contemplation a some terrific coffee talk to go with it's romantic longing.
Juliette (Clarkson) is an empty nester who, with her last child having just left home, can now visit her husband while he work in international aid. Mark (Tom McCamus) has worked in the Middle East through much of his marriage, currently in the troubled West Bank in the midst of the fight over Israeli settlements.
Juliette arrives in Cairo as Mark is trapped in the West Bank, cut off by an Israeli embargo. For now she is met by Mark's long time aide Tareq (Alexander Siddig) with whom she strikes an immediate chemistry. At the airport they meet one of Tareq's old flames, Yasmeen (Amina Annabi) and while Tareq seems flustered, the memories actually bond him with Juliette.
These two lonely people, longing for others find comfort in one another and end up spending more than expected time together. Meanwhile, Juliette, when not bonding with Tareq, takes in the sights of Cairo and her touristy ignorance provides further context for her isolation and loneliness. These scenes also help to establish the lush locations of Cairo which has rarely looked so romantic and yet forbidding.
Writer-Director Ruba Nadda has worked for the past five years, since the release of her well received debut feature Sabah, to craft Cairo Time. The time was well spent as she has created a gorgeous and moving romance for thinking adults. Patricia Clarkson is her usual compelling self, witty, sexy and elegant while co-star Alexander Siddig matches Clarkson smolder for smolder.
Ruba Nadda wrote the role of Tareq for Siddig and after years of being type cast as oil barons and or potential terrorist threats, Siddig settles comfortably into the role romantic hero. Siddig and Clarkson's forbidden romance in a forbidden land gives Siddig the opportunity to play elements of his personality he all to rarely gets to play.
Cairo Time is gauzy and laconic but in it's laid back chimera it plays as a warm and comfortable adult romance. I could watch Patricia Clarkson give Alexander Siddig simmering glances all day. These two amazing actors are a wonderful match with Ruba Nadda's excellent dialogue and gorgeous, exotic locales. Cairo Time should have had a chance to charm you at the box office, let it charm you now on DVD.
