On August 22, 2010, the Dobie Theater in Austin, Texas, showed its last film. I know that movie theaters close down all the time. The Tiger Drive-In in my hometown of Snyder closed down before I even got my driver’s license. There’s a Walmart there now. And despite a thriving film scene, Austin is no exception. Just in the last ten years, we’ve lost three theaters in south Austin alone.
But the Dobie was different. Located on the UT campus, it was famous for tiny screens, narrow aisles, bad popcorn, and the most incredible selection of foreign films, documentaries, and art-house movies any city could hope to attract. I saw dozens of movies there – things you couldn’t see anywhere else, like Hands on a Hard Body, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, Reel Paradise – followed by Q&A with the filmmaker – and, more recently, The Secret of Kells. And I was there on August 22 to say goodbye, along with my stalwart movie buddy, L.W.
Cairo Time was the perfect farewell movie to see at the Dobie. It’s an unhurried art film in the classic tradition, where watching two near-strangers fall in love is a zen experience akin to watching the grass grow. But it’s okay, because the grass in question is growing in Cairo, and the scenery is captivating. Why hurry past it? After seeing this movie, you feel like you’ve actually been somewhere.
The film stars Patricia Clarkson, who brings her own brand of quiet dignity to an ultra-quiet and dignified film. With a certain Meryl Streepiness, she effortlessly adds layers of substance to a role that doesn’t call for a lot of far-flung emotion. Her leading man does likewise. You might recognize the long and lanky Alexander Siddig from his many TV spots, or from his role as Hermes in this year’s Clash of the Titans. Like Clarkson, though, he seems completely at home in Cairo.
If you like your movies fast and furious, don’t even think about putting this one on your Netflix list. It takes remarkable stamina to endure a movie this slow and subtle. But for those who like to take a deep cleansing breath and settle in, it’s a rewarding expedition. For me, it was a wonderful way to say goodbye to the Dobie, and for that reason, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
See the Cairo Time preview here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2NlktbwIyM
Movie Reviews for Mere Mortals 
This is a beautiful piece of writing, Holly. If you’re collecting your finest for a portfolio, make sure this is one of them!
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