Mother and son hit the ground running, quite literally, in a manic search for the stolen scooter. Arzé tries every trick in the book. Her negotiations for information include swapping whichever religious icon will get her to the next clue, though her delightful pies become the slyest currency.
Betty Taoutel gives agoraphobic Layla a delusional sense of hope that her estranged husband will return. She is a wonderfully character-driven foil for Kinan and Arzé. Her mental health and emotional trauma hide her deep love for her nephew and sister. It’s a lovely turn.
Bilal Al Hamwi plays Kinan with ferocious energy. His head is in the clouds. A push and pull between childhood and adulthood, Kinan longs to escape Beruit but feels tethered to his girlfriend and the mother he thinks holds him back.
As the titular Arzé, Diamond Abou Abboud shines with a palpable determination. Her relentless pursuit to make things right will capture your heart. She is abundantly charming. Abou Abboud delivers a shockingly powerhouse performance that sneaks up on you.
The cinematography is beautiful in the ever-changing natural light of Beirut. The script is a thoughtful mix of sadness, desperation, and hope. The score is almost comically upbeat but perfectly suits the surprising highs and lows in all the shenanigans.
Screenwriters Louay Khraish and Faissal Sam Shaib offer moments of levity amidst the seriousness of Arzé’s plight. It is also an interesting commentary on blame, the dangers of stereotyping, and tribalism. They give our leading lady a level of observant intelligence that reigns supreme.
ARZÉ is a delightful and entirely unexpected film in Tribeca 2024’s lineup, but undeniably one of the best.
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