I just saw this film in the International Film Festival in Brasilia, Brazil. I thought one more non-lebanese comment might actually be helpful.

I gave it a 8 out of 10 because I'm very fussy about giving 9's and 10's to movies. It is a great movie... enchanting... beautiful...it feels homely and intimate quite fast. The acting is good... especially of the director/actress Nadine Labaki.

One cannot avoid being seduced by this woman's eyes and beauty. Labaki is a stunner. She is so great in her role, best actress in the movie. Her character comes across very believably... and those eyes ! I recommend seeing this movie... and I'd keep an eye on future projects from Director/Actress Nadine Labaki.

Greetings again from the darkness. Insightful film dominated by Writer-Director-Lead Actress Nadine Labaki. Billed as a Romantic Comedy, this is much more a commentary on people ... especially women and how everyone's thought and actions revolve around finding the right companion. During that search, there can be much loneliness and frustration, but the discovery makes it all worthwhile.

The doe-eyed Ms. Labaki gives a fine performance and supposedly most of the supporting roles were filled by "real" people, not actors. Probably why the movie has such an earthy, straight-from-the-heart feel to it. There is much creativity in the editing and scene cuts. Much of the humor of the film is derived from tying one scene to another seemingly unrelated one.

Not in the class of the Almodovar films, it still is very poignant and classy in it's commentary on women and relationships. Also, it is refreshing to see a film on Beirut that is character driven and not politically or war based.

We watch as a batch of caramel is being made as the movie starts. This confection is not exactly to complete a dessert, as we get to know, the confection is used in a beauty salon in Beirut where it helps the beauticians eliminate unwanted body hair. The lives of women that operate the salon are examined, including a couple of their friends who bond together the way only women can. Despite their shortcomings, Layale, Nisrine, Rima, Jamale and Rose, will be friends no matter what fate has in store for them.

"Caramel" as it is known in English, is a charming film by Nadine Labaki, who is seen in the key role of Layale. Ms. Labaki knows these women and what their lives are like. She is generous and sympathetic to all the women in the movie. With all their complexities, the women are supportive of the others and there is never any jealousy, or ill feeling toward anyone in the group.

Although the film is targeted to Lebanese women, it feels universal in its message of solidarity and love. One can expect good things from Ms. Labaki in future ventures.