Susan Granger’s review of “Cairo Time” (IFC Films)
If you’ve fantasized about visiting Egypt and never had the chance, this is it.
When women’s magazine writer Juliette Grant (Patricia Clarkson) arrives in Cairo to join her husband, Mark (Tom McCamus), a U.N. refugee camp organizer, for a vacation, she is met at the airport by Tareq (Alexander Siddig), his former security officer and colleague. He tells her that Mark’s been unavoidably detained in Gaza and graciously escorts her through the crowded streets and sweltering heat to her hotel.
Hours pass, days pass – and wistful, curious Juliette gradually ventures out from her hotel room to explore an ancient, mysterious city where blue-eyed, blond-haired, refined women are a curiosity and certainly not expected to be alone in the casbah. Feeling intimidated, embarrassed and uncomfortable with the unwanted male attention she attracts in this strange, misogynistic place, she asks Tareq, a courtly, sophisticated Muslim Arab, to show her the sights – and an intoxicating, unexpected relationship slowly develops, as they shop, smoke water pipes, take a sail down the Nile, play chess in his café, attend a traditional wedding in Alexandria and explore the pyramids at Giza.
Montreal writer/director Ruba Nadda, whose background is Syrian, crafts leisurely-paced performance piece that is propelled by two extraordinarily proficient actors: Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig, who transcend the understated, often vapid dialogue. Acclaimed for her work in Woody Allen’s “Whatever Works” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” the elegant, graceful, remarkably versatile Clarkson immediately elicits empathy for Juliette’s dilemma. So it’s Alexander Siddig who surprises. Born in the Sudan and raised in England, he’s perhaps best known as Dr. Julian Bashir on TV’s “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” Since the demise of that sci-fi series, he’s delivered memorable turns in “Syriana” and “Clash of the Titans.” As Tareq, he exudes discreet Old World charm and charisma.
In addition, cinematographer Luc Montpellier, production designer Tamara Conboy and composer Niall Byrne create an appropriately exotic contemporary ambiance.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Cairo Time” is a subtle 6. It’s mature romance that’s geared to adult art-house audiences.
