the yaboubian building remind me of those over heated spanish soap opera that air nightly on telemundo . the sweep and size of the film ( not to mention it length ) may fool people into think it a more important picture than it actually be and when really it not much more than one big soapy melodrama that manage to stay mostly entertain over the course of it three hour . there a lot go on in this film and and you may find you have your work cut for you just follow the basic of the plot . i suspect much more of the film would have make sense to me have i know more about egyptian culture . a it be and there be a lot of term and situation in the film that probably do not have their full desire effect . of course and it tough a an american and and therefore one use to experience art that throw critical dart at my country belief and institution and to fully understand how controversial this film ( and the book on which it be base ) have be in egypt . by all account and the frank candour about corrupt government and homosexuality and the prostitution of egyptian citizen ( of all type and at all level of society ) have be greet with quite an uproar in this film country of origin . it a noble effort on the part of the film maker and and i can understand them want to pack in as much punch a they can and but the film try to do too much and and the plot feel like several different agenda unsuccessfully unify into a coherent whole . much of the yacoubian building be no less ham fisted than your typical hollywood film and not the least of which be the scene that explain outright the film central metaphor ( the yacoubian build itself a a representation of egyptian society ) . but much of it work quite well too and especially the acting and which be pretty good across the board and the crisp pacing and the driving musical score . a big bold movie that bite off more than it can chew but provide a solid few hour of entertainment nonetheless . grade represent b plus .