Critic’s pick: ‘Cairo Time’

Fight that sinking September sensation that summer’s over with the heat and beauty of “Cairo Time.” This small, intimate tale of not-so-young lovers portrayed by Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig luxuriates in the considerable talent of these very fine actors, who make great use of all the breathing room they’ve been given to create an exquisite mood piece. This is also a postcard to a place that Canadian writer-director Ruba Nadda clearly adores — the grime, poverty and sheer density momentarily swept under cinema’s magic carpet. The characters are brought together by an unexpectedly absent husband. A friendship born of necessity moves to a languid flirtation. They fall under the spell of the city and each other, and if you let it, “Cairo Time” will cast its spell on you too.

– Betsy Sharkey