Every year, when chilly Chicago is getting nippier by the minute, I like to fantasize about journeying to far-off places, hopefully where I don't have to wear three layers to take out my garbage. I wouldn't actually live in the exotic locale. I'd simply soak up the sun and the local culture and be on my merry way.
Last night, I popped in "Cairo Time" with an optimism as sunny as the film's titular city. Patricia Clarkson! Intelligent love interest with great accent! A friendship turned romance between a stranger in a strange land and her husband's former colleague, which from minute one is destined not to be! Pyramids! What's not to like?
90 minutes later, I had my answer: quite a lot.
"Cairo Time" has several redeeming features: Clarkson, whose gravelly whisper makes you want to lean forward and drink in every word; Alexander Siddig, the poster child for Yummy Older Men; images of street markets, glittery sand, and pyramids filmed in a lush, loving manner. Also, American ideology versus Egypt's patriarchal culture is explored with fairness, and all characters are treated with respect. In other words, "Cairo Time"'s treatment of non-Anglo society is far superior to that of "Eat, Pray, Love," or "White People Exocitize Everything."
Yet these parts don't add up to a satisfying whole. The first hour drags interminably. Minimal dialogue can work well, but here the few mumbled words are supposed to be symbolic but come off inconsequential. Sure, the scenery is jaw-dropping, but I can watch the Travel Channel for that.
In other words, I wanted to like "Cairo Time." But when you're spending the last 20 minutes of the movie yelling "Do it already!" at the two main characters, it's probably time to press Stop.
DVD features include an alternate ending and short films by director Ruba Nadda.
Movie: 2.5 Yaps
Extras: 3 Yaps