It is a place of sanctuary, secrets and solidarity. At least it is in Caramel, a delightful Lebanese picture that is as sweet as the title might suggest.

Revealing the lives and loves of women who work in a Beirut beauty salon, this has the sun-kissed feel of a Pedro Almodovar creation.

Hairdresser Layale (Nadine Labaki) is involved with a married man. Colleague Nisrine (Yasmine Al Masri) is about to be married but her fiancé still wrongly believes she is a virgin.

Rima (Joanna Moukarzel) sighs a special sigh every time a certain beautiful stranger comes in for a treatment.

As the story moves towards Nisrine’s wedding, decisions are made, lives are changed and the film becomes a poignant salute to the bonds that allow these woman to endure through good times and bad. Caramel is a little charmer.

OUR VERDICT: 4/5
(Cert PG; 96 mins)