It’s been a hectic month at the movies. I’ve seen a lot of good films and some terrible ones as well. “Stable Unstable”, the latest Lebanese film from writer/director Mahmoud Hojeij (in his feature debut) falls somewhere in between. It’s far from being perfect, yet as a showcase for a host of talented Lebanese actors, it remains potent and entertaining. Hojeij has assembled an impressive cast and given them interesting roles to play. It’s a treat to watch Camille Salameh, Nada Abou Farhat, Fadi Abi Samra and a fine supporting cast in this amusing social piece set in an apartment building in Beirut. The premise involves several characters who start their last day of the year visiting their psychologist. Over the course of the day, old wounds are reopened and layer by layer, we learn more about their problems. When the day is over, it’s up to the individuals to decide what they should do next. The cast couldn’t be better, and each one gets a chance to shine. And if the whole isn’t quite as a good as the sum of its parts, I’m not inclined to complain. It’s still a brave try by Hojeij. Of course I can’t place his film on the same level as some of the finest Lebanese films ever made, but I also can’t dismiss it out of hand. All I can say is that it entertained me. If you admire these Lebanese actors as much as I do, and appreciate the director’s mindset, I think you will feel the same way.

Rating: 2.5/4