Watch Halal Love

Halal Love (and Sex) is a Lebanese romantic comedy-drama film that follows the life of four Muslim ladies and their love passions. The film begins with Mariam (Darine Hamze), a wedding planner who is struggling to find marital happiness with her husband. After trying almost everything to spice up their sex life, she turns to a cleric, Sheikh Alaa (Rodrigue Sleiman), for guidance, which leads her to a life-changing adventure.

The second character in the film, Lina (Zeinab Hind Khadra), is a news anchor with a devout Muslim husband, who values her career; however, Lina's pregnancy poses a challenge to her commitment to work. She fears being discriminated against as a pregnant woman, but with the help of her husband's support and Sheikh Alaa's blessings, she overcomes her doubts.

The third character in the movie is Rima (Hiba Abouk), a traditional homemaker whose husband is a drug addict. Finding out about her husband's addiction, she is torn between her desire to save her family's home and the fear of being excommunicated by the community.

Finally, there is Jihan (Dina Al Sabbagh), a young woman who meets Samir (Saad Lostan), a man who appears to be her perfect match in a pizza place. However, their relationship is threatened when Jihan's father seeks to intervene, and their bond is put through trials after Samir asks for her hand in marriage.

The plot revolves around four interconnected stories that offer a glimpse into the lives of Muslim women and their dynamics within the Lebanese culture. The central theme of the film is focused on the impact of religion and social norms on the sexual and emotional lives of Muslim women.

As the film progresses, the characters face conflicts between their religious beliefs and their personal desires, leading them to confront the challenges brought by love, marriage, sexuality, and parenthood- themes that seem to be universal to any relationships. The portrayal of Sheikh Alaa played a significant role in guiding the women's love lives. The cleric adopts a refreshing stance that promotes understanding and compassion between sexes in a contemporary Islamic society.

Despite the film's sensitive subject matter, the director, Assad Fouladkar, managed to interweave humor and romance into the story, delivering a lighthearted, heartwarming, and entertaining movie. Halal Love (and Sex) offers a glimpse into the lives of Lebanese Muslim women, challenging stereotyped notions of Muslim women as repressed and submissive.

The production quality of the film is outstanding; the visuals are aesthetically pleasing, showcasing the beauty of Lebanon's landscapes. The camera work, music, and editing are also noteworthy and complement the film's emotional narrative successfully.

In conclusion, Halal Love (and Sex) is a must-watch film for anyone interested in the intersection between religious beliefs and personal desires, representing the voices of Muslim women who are largely ignored in mainstream media. Regardless of your religious beliefs or background, the film's universal themes will leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and entertained.

Halal Love is a 2015 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.