GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

Frances Chung Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Tobias Burrows It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Mihai Toma A woman (Juliette) visits her husband in Cairo but, because he is a very busy man, his retired friend (Tareq) is asked to take care of her while he's gone. In the absence of her husband, she starts exploring while getting a bit into trouble along the way. Luckily, Tareq is always there to save her, determined to make her stay as pleasant as possible. An unavoidable bond begins forming between them due to the extended time spent together but neither of them seems able to make the next step.It's a movie which has a great location for a romance but fails miserably to deliver it. Most of the movie, almost nothing happens, and when it does is as boring as it gets, nothing more than a few words are spoken. To be frank, I have seen a lot of documentaries which have a lot more "action" than this, fact which is simply unbearable for this type of movie.It is a complete waste of time which had a little opportunity to regain a bit of dignity with its finale but, as expected, in fails badly in that part as well. A bad movie, which wastes time instead of doing what a movie should do.

George Wright This beautifully made film from 2009 shows a friendship between two people, Patricia Clarkson (Juliette) and Alexander Siddig (Tareq), that grows stronger despite the cultural differences between the Western woman and her Egyptian host, a friend of her husband. The female lead is visiting Cairo to spend time with her husband, a Canadian who works as director of a UN refugee camp in Gaza. The husband Marc is delayed and Juliette leans on her host Tareq for guidance and support. Both are very refined, professional people with their own careers but it isn't long before we see the differences in upbringing and outlook. Despite the cultural gap, the two are able to talk and confide in one another and fall in love. The love they share is very restrained and never crosses the line into an "affair". Both Clarkson and Siddig give excellent performances. Clarkson, as Juliette, finds herself courting trouble when she decides to explore the city. Juliette goes out and about in Cairo and realizes that she cannot be a tourist as if she were in London or New York. This is where Tareq is able to help her through the dangers of appearing too loose or wandering about in what is essentially a police state on one hand, while young men follow her and try to pick her up, the perils of being a Western woman who dresses as if she were on the streets of a North American city. She also finds herself being singled out by police and asked for her passport. The photography captures the life of the teeming city as well as the dangers living in it. The viewers see the backdrop of the Pyramids, the panoramic shots of the Nile and the desert landscape beyond the bustling city. The pace of the movie is slow and allowed me to observe the beautiful setting and the unfolding characters. Because it moves slowly, it wouldn't be to everyone's liking. Nevertheless, I found the movie very satisfying with its strong dose of beauty and realism.

rps-2 This is a beautiful and understated film. The plot is simple but the impact is huge. This has to be a woman's work, I thought, as I watched it and sure enough it was both written and directed by Ruba Nada. Patricia Clarkson is superb in her low key portrayal of Juliette Grant, a middle aged North American wife left alone in Cairo when her husband is delayed. The pace is languorously slow. The photography is rich and warm. It is a film of tiny and careful brush strokes rather than broad swipes and splashes. Ultimately the plot goes nowhere. But somehow that is the very real strength of this wonderful, artful film. I have been a frequent harsh critic here of Canadian movies. This is a refreshing exception.

stephanlinsenhoff The red threat of this movie is known: some Thursday's in 'Brief Encounter', some days in 'The Bridges in Madison County'. If something in a marriage is vulnerable and has to be repaired before the unrepairable option of divorce: here is an example to repair before ... . The middle-aged Juliette visits her husband (away on UN-mission) in Cairo. Instead her husband, the Muslim Tarik welcomes her at the airport. As the film moves forward Juliette is tempted by the low keyed politeness of this man. Occasionally her husband phones, the wife begging her husband to come. She wanders alone the streets of Cairo, followed by men. After this Tarik is he her 'bodyguard'. The space her absent husband created is taken by Tarik. Nothing and everything happens between the female Christian and the male Muslim. The subtle affection develops towards the moment when she asks him to her room for tea. The movement of their body language (her hesitating preparation of the tea and him: first on the balcony - then in front of her, engulfed by the films most intense moment). She: "Come." They do what she told everybody: that she will climb the Pyramids with her husband. Now it is Tarik. The gentle gentleman he is, takes off his jacket for her to sit on. In Europe the metaphor of the tower is phallic symbolism. Here it is the pyramid. Like this she, the tourist in a foreign country, handles their feelings: climbing together the phallic pyramid-tower. Before she does it with her husband. Nothing but everything happens. Differently. The 'betrayed' husband was too sure of his wife and friend - leaving his space as husband empty. Returning to the hotel after their 'infidelity', Mark waits. An awkward situation as nothing but unseen for him, everything has happened. When she prepared the tea: the moment that affection crossed the line. The movie ends, the camera following husband and wife approaching the Pyramids. The husband, the second choice, unaware that the privilege had been given by him to the other. But. Was Taric no the medicine for husband and wife, now and then needed to renew a marriage, taking care of subtle flaws as it happened those Thursday's and the week. Again to see the other and not only look. Husband and wife entering the elevator, before the door closes, she looks at Taric, seeing him: "I am happy that I waited." Unaware of all this: the wife's husband, the boy Mark, sure of his wife. Too sure.