Tango

Some good Lebanese films and TV series have found their way on to the global stage through a variety of streaming sites e.g Netflix. This, unfortunately, is not one of the better ones. Each episode is filled with long periods of silence, smouldering stares and tight closeups of faces, eyes, mouths etc. The story is replete with flashbacks that are a constant, seemingly every 10 minutes per episode. Obviously a product meant for a very limited and local audience, not for global consumption.

It is rich with culture and language. The actors are hot and the leading ladies are gorgeous.

Bravo! Bassel n Daniella/cast amazing , story line quite surprising!

Brilliantly produced and well enacted series. Bassal khyaat and Daniella Rahme have screen presence and command second to none. Ditto for rest of the cast. An intensely emotional drama of the star-crossed lovers genre, depicting complexities of personal relations and human failings. A deep and poignant portrayal of an extra marital affair of Farah and Amer, both trapped in their respective seemingly lack lustre and lukewarm marriages. Both actors beautifully express conflicting emotions in a moral dilemma. Their romantic interludes and tango dance scenes are sensuous and mesmerizing, highlighting the chemistry between the two lovers. The adoration and feverish passion somehow overshadows the illicit nature of their affair, blurring boundaries between right and wrong.....and strangely justifying their actions. Conversely it also elicits feelings of compassion for Lina and Sami who are at the receiving end of this betrayal. One is left wondering how the consequences would have been different: should Farah and Amer have ended their marriages early on or should they have resisted temptation and rejected the chance to be happy? Whatever the verdict, their affair is just too beautiful to be judged unfavorably. Overall two thumbs up. Also, Bassal Khyaat's elope worthy good looks didn't hurt either😉

This series is an amazing treat and an artistic gem. A deep dive into the psychology of relationships and the human condition, it takes an in depth look at marriage and why people are unfaithful. The drama is heightened as the cheating takes place within a group of four friends. The characters are raw, vulnerable and flawed. The performances are authentic and emotionally intense. I found myself empathising with most of the characters as you can see their failings and what led them to where they are now. The tango motif is wonderful, and the dance scenes add artistic flair to a story of passionate and dangerous love. There is something very archetypal about this story. It poses profound questions as to why we can become trapped in a life that imprisons our spirit, and the social barriers that prevent people from being truthful and being themselves. A modern classic.