Nadine Labaki's Caramel leaves a sentimental, sweet and nostalgic aftertaste, so satisfying and familiar. What's amazing is that the viewer successfully connects with and cares for each character even though the film doesn't go to excessive lengths to explain its characters, judge them or take them too seriously. Maybe that's the winning formula for Labaki's feature.The film is really a cross-section of the lives of a few friends from the same neighborhood, mainly focusing on four ladies who work at a beauty parlor. The 'problems' these friends face may seem mundane as they're very universal issues that have been dealt with in films for decades, but the presentation and handling of these issues within the film are spectacular, as Labani takes a lighter approach to exploring them. As the film is set in Lebanon, I was also curious to see if Labaki would try and tackle the local political situation. She carefully circles around politics and mainly deals with the successful coexistence of Christianity and Islam within the same community.
I can't write about this film without mentioning its beautiful women as they carry the whole weight of the film. They gain the respect, sympathy and adoration of the viewer easily. These women are towers of patience, love, strength, understanding and much more. It feels like Labaki adapted the footprint of the Sex and the City phenomenon to her local environment and expanded upon it. It works extremely well as these women stand by each other for everything.
Caramel doesn't fail to lift one's spirits as well as bring tears to one's eyes at the same time, especially with the emotional soundtrack playing in the background. It's a very human film that I would recommend to anyone.
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