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7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Cairo Season remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like black-and-white comedies that feel like they were filmed in someone’s fancy living room, sure. It’s perfect for people who want a movie that doesn't try to change their life. If you hate old-fashioned stage-y acting or need a plot that makes sense, skip it.
Honestly, Cairo Season feels like a relic. It’s one of those movies where people stand around looking mildly inconvenienced while wearing very sharp suits. Tobby and the Countess are basically just bored rich kids playing puppet master.
The whole setup is so thin it’s practically translucent. They want their parents to marry. Why? Because it’s easier to manage them that way, I guess. It’s a very weird, specific kind of entitlement that feels hilarious now but probably played differently back then. 🤷♂️
The chemistry between the leads is… fine? Sometimes it feels like they’re reading off cue cards held by a stagehand just out of frame. But then you get a moment of genuine wit, like when Tobby looks at the camera with that specific kind of 1930s annoyance. It’s almost charming.
It definitely lacks the grit of something like Red-Headed Woman. That movie had some actual teeth. This one is more like a lukewarm cup of tea. It’s sweet, but you’re not going to remember it by Tuesday.
There’s a scene where they’re plotting in a cafe that goes on for about three minutes too long. You can literally see the actors waiting for their next lines. It’s the kind of imperfection that makes me like it more than a slick modern blockbuster.
If you’re looking for a comparison, it’s got less chaos than Midnight Madness, but it’s definitely trying to be a bit more sophisticated about its social circles. It doesn’t quite land the landing, but who cares? It's a snapshot of a different time. 🎞️
Just don't go in expecting a masterpiece. It's just a movie about people being messy for an hour or so. And honestly? We’ve all been there.
