Patricia Clarkson gives one of the strongest and most fascinating performances of the year in the memorable Cairo Time, a film that transcends being a mere travelogue to linger in the mind as a study of a very unusual chapter in a woman's life. With jaw-dropping cinematography that will make you see this international hub in a way you've never seen it before, Cairo Time is a subtle, quiet, slow film that succeeds in not only burrowing under your skin and into your mind during its running time but has a remarkable ability to stay there for days and weeks afterward. Many viewers will be turned off by the lack of action (this is the anti-Expendables in nearly every way although it is interesting how it more successfully addresses some of the themes and general set-up of Eat Pray Love) but for those intrigued by the premise, it couldn't possibly have been delivered much more expertly, eloquently, or memorably.

One of our best living actresses plays Juliette Grant, a woman sent to the titular city to spend some time with her U.N.-employed husband Mark. Her meeting with Mark is constantly delayed, allowing Juliette to spend time in the gorgeous city of Cairo and draws her closer to the kind-and-captivating Tareq (Alexander Siddig), a man who is something of a guide and something of a security guard for the lovely American while she waits. And waits. And waits. That's about it. Juliette roams the streets of Cairo, stands on her balcony, roams some more, drinks some coffee, and builds a friendship with Tareq. Cairo Time is a film about very little moments in a very big city. There's a sequence near the end between Juliette and Tareq that stands among the best of the year and it's completely dialogue-free. Don't go to Cairo Time expecting melodrama, monologues, or action set-pieces. It's an internal character piece set in a very external city.

Writer/director Ruba Nadda expertly captures the feeling of being alone in a city of thousands. I've always loved films that get that sensation of solitude among the masses just right and Cairo Time does exactly that. As Mark continuously delays his return to our heroine, she becomes clearly more and more alone. And she's in a city where she cannot walk the streets by herself or risk sexual harassment by the locals. Without a single "big moment," Nadda and Clarkson work together to expertly portray a woman stuck by her situation. And the relationship with Tareq is handled with the most remarkable caution. Is Juliette just turning to him because she has no one else? Is she generally dissatisfied with a marriage that feels like it is being lived in two different worlds? Has she fallen in love? Or does she just want a friend? Cairo Time leaves most of these questions unanswered, which allows them to linger long past the end credits and makes these two characters resonate as two of the most genuinely believable of the year to date.

It should be noted that Alexander Siddig deserves praise for his equally believable work alongside Patricia Clarkson. This excellent actor (who played Doctor Bashir on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and was very memorable in Syriana) completely holds his own with Clarkson. But it's "her movie." And it's so rewarding to see an actress typically relegated to memorable supporting turns being handed such a fantastic lead role and completely delivering in every single way. Take the trip.

Rating: THREE AND A HALF BONES

Release Date: August 20th, 2010
Rating: PG

Starring: Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig
Director: Ruba Nadda
Writer: Ruba Nadda