Caramel (PG)

Co-written and directed by Nadine Labaki, it is an impressive directorial debut. This is not a new idea, but Labaki manages to make it feel fresh and not in the least contrived.

It looks as if you are watching a slice of life thanks to the natural and likeable performances from the cast, including Labaki herself, who stars as beauty salon owner Layale, who is involved with a married man.

All the women have problems of some sort. Nisrine (Yasmine al-Masri) is about to be married, but she is no longer a virgin, which could prove a major setback.

Then there is hair-washer Rima (Joanna Moukarzel), who is dealing with being gay, and Jamal (Gisele Aouad), an aging actress past her prime who is worried about getting old, while sexagenarian seamstress Rose (Sihame Haddad) has found love for the very first time.

It is a charming and wonderfully delicious rom-com which is not to be missed and could well benefit from word of mouth.

MARIA DUARTE