What Is Solitaire About?
The premise of Solitaire in 325 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a quaint Lebanese village steeped in memory and tradition, Therese moves through her days as the wife of the town’s mayor, a woman whose warmth fills her home even as grief lingers in its corners. The specter of the Lebanese-Syrian war remains etched into her life, most hauntingly through the absence of her beloved brother, lost decades ago to a bomb blast. Photographs of him line the walls of her house, and she speaks to his image as though he might answer, keeping his memory alive in small, daily rituals. Her home is a place where laughter and sorrow share the same rooms.
As preparations unfold for the arrival of her daughter Ghada’s prospective suitor and his parents, Therese envisions a joyful engagement, a celebration that would mark a new chapter for the family. The village hums with quiet anticipation, and the household fills with the bustle of hosting. Maurice, her husband and the mayor, balances his public duties with the private rhythms of family life, while Ghada herself prepares to step into this next phase with hopes of her own.
The mood shifts when the visiting family crosses the threshold, and a simple detail — the sound of a familiar dialect — shatters Therese’s carefully constructed sense of celebration. The suitor’s Syrian origins collide with wounds that have never quite healed, transforming what was meant to be a night of union into an evening charged with unspoken tension. Therese’s fierce opposition, rooted in decades-old loss, threatens to upend the happiness she had only just begun to imagine.
Set against the backdrop of a region still marked by the echoes of war, Solitaire weaves a story of family, memory, and the long shadow that history casts over the present. With its intimate domestic setting and richly drawn characters, the film explores how personal grief and collective trauma intertwine, and how the arrival of strangers can stir up everything a community has tried to bury.
What Happens in Solitaire?
The complete story of Solitaire, from the first scene to the last, in 603 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with Theresa, a Lebanese woman portrayed by Julia Kassar, as she tastes pickles but quickly discards them upon discovering they were prepared by a Syrian refugee. Upon returning home, she begins making arrangements for her daughter Ghada’s engagement, engaging in imagined conversations with her deceased brother’s photograph. This brother tragically lost his life in a bomb attack during the Lebanese-Syrian conflict, a shadow that looms over her family.
In the meantime, Theresa’s neighbor Solange chats with Marwan, played by Said Serhan, Ghada’s ex-boyfriend, who remains oblivious to the engagement and has purchased a ring to propose to Ghada when she returns from Dubai. Meanwhile, Maurice, Theresa’s husband and the town’s mayor, is seen with another woman, who expresses her frustration over his constant excuses.
As anticipation builds, Samer, portrayed by Jaber Jokhadar, along with his parents, travels to Ghada’s home, discussing their Syrian background amidst border tensions. When Ghada finally returns from Dubai, Maurice, despite his reservations, avoids mentioning Samer’s Syrian heritage to Theresa. The truth comes to light when Theresa recognizes Samer’s dialect, sending her into a state of shock upon realizing her daughter’s suitor is Syrian.
As Samer and his parents awkwardly await in the living room, unaware of Theresa’s prejudices, both Maurice and Ghada attempt to persuade her. However, Theresa concocts a plan to sabotage the engagement by secretly inviting Marwan over to the house. Following a brief conversation between the families, they move outside for some leisure time.
In a twist, Theresa attends Marwan’s tango class and brings back a framed photo of him and Ghada dancing, which she plans to unveil later. Back at home, when Samer offers to help Theresa in the kitchen, he mistakenly expresses condolences over her brother’s death, which Ghada had misrepresented to him. In a surprising gesture, Theresa gifts Samer her brother’s old watch, hinting at her conflicted feelings.
The lunch scene becomes a pivotal moment in the film, as the two families gather around the table. Riad, Samer’s father, keeps the conversation lively by inquiring about Theresa’s brother’s travels to Syria. An unexpected moment occurs when Riad sings a well-loved Syrian tune, which evokes smiles from Theresa as it reminds her of her brother.
Tensions flare when Marwan enters the scene and sits next to Ghada, while Samer watches with increasing jealousy. Ghada and Marwan reminisce about their childhood, inciting frustration from Samer, who feels sidelined by her nostalgic recollections. Comments exchanged between Samer and Marwan grow increasingly snappy, with Theresa further igniting the flames by reminiscing about Ghada and Marwan’s past tango partnership. As events unfold, Maurice’s affair with his assistant comes to light, drawing attention from Samer’s mother, Nazek played by Nadine Khoury.
When Riad insists on showcasing Ghada and Marwan’s dance, jealousy boils over, leading Samer to claim Ghada for himself. A confrontation escalates into violence when Samer punches Marwan, resulting from an exchange of pointed remarks. The escalating drama unveils a pivotal email from Ghada to Marwan revealing her loneliness, which dramatically reshapes their dynamics.
Following an emotional reckoning, Ghada and Samer reconcile, while Theresa grapples with the consequences of her actions. Realizing she has overstepped, Theresa seeks to apologize to Ghada, and an emotional mother-daughter moment ensues. Ultimately, Theresa comes to terms with her prejudices and accepts Samer, encouraging Ghada to pursue a relationship with him.
The film concludes with Samer and Ghada’s wedding, featuring both families uniting in joy. In a powerful act of liberation, Theresa returns her wedding ring to Maurice, symbolizing their separation. The narrative encapsulates a journey of acceptance and healing amidst the complexities of love, family, and cultural divides.
Solitaire Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Theresa's Distaste” to “Celebration of Love”. 2 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Theresa's Distaste
The film opens with Theresa, a Lebanese woman, tasting pickles but immediately spitting them out upon discovering they were made by a Syrian refugee. This incident sets the stage for her prejudiced views towards Syrians and foreshadows the conflicts to come during her daughter's engagement.
- 2
Ghada's Engagement Preparations
Theresa begins preparing for her daughter Ghada's upcoming engagement party. She engages in a poignant conversation with a photo of her deceased brother, seeking his approval and guidance, which highlights her deep sense of loss and connection to her family's past.
- 3
Maurice's Infidelity
Maurice, Theresa's husband and the town's Mayor, is seen with another woman, hinting at an extramarital affair. This revelation adds complexity to the family dynamics and foreshadows future conflicts, as he struggles to keep his two lives separate.
- 4
Samer's Arrival
Samer, Ghada's suitor, and his parents make their way to Ghada's home while discussing the difficulties faced by Syrians at the border. Their arrival signifies the beginning of the engagement proceedings but also the underlying tensions due to their Syrian identity.
- 5
Shock at Samer's Background
As Ghada returns from Dubai, Theresa learns about Samer's Syrian heritage through his dialect, which shocks her profoundly. This revelation triggers a series of actions driven by her prejudice and sets up the main conflict of the story.
- 6
Theresa's Conspiracy
In a desperate attempt to disrupt the engagement, Theresa secretly contacts Marwan, Ghada's ex-boyfriend, inviting him over. This act of deceit reflects her unwillingness to accept her daughter's happiness with a Syrian man and complicates the family dynamics further.
- 7
The Tango Classes
Theresa visits Marwan's tango classes and reminisces about her past with Ghada's brother. This moment underscores her nostalgia and serves as a poignant reminder of the former bonds that are now strained by racial tensions.
Where:Tango Classes
- 8
Lunch Vibes Turn Tense
During an awkward lunch, both families engage in conversation, trying to find common ground. However, the atmosphere thickens when Theresa mentions her brother, rekindling memories of loss amidst the backdrop of their grief and bitterness towards each other.
- 9
The Dance Conflict
As families engage in a dance to lighten the mood, a rivalry emerges between Samer and Marwan. Samer's jealousy surfaces when he feels overshadowed, leading to a physical confrontation that escalates the already strained environment.
- 10
Secrets Unravel
Tensions climax as Samer reveals an old email from Ghada indicating her ongoing feelings for Marwan. This confrontation leads to revelations about Theresa's prejudice, ultimately shattering the engagement and exposing family secrets that have long been hidden.
Show the other 5 events of Solitaire Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Confrontation Between Theresa and Maurice
After the engagement breaks off, Theresa confronts Maurice about his affair, leading to a heated exchange. This confrontation not only highlights their marital issues but also allows Theresa to reflect on her role in the tragic unraveling of her daughter's happiness.
- 12
Mother-Daughter Reconciliation
In a crucial moment, Theresa reconciles with Ghada, recognizing her mistakes, and encourages her to pursue her feelings for Samer. This moment of emotional bonding signifies a shift in Theresa's perspective as she begins to shed her prejudices.
- 13
Reformed Relationships
Ghada and Samer come together again, reigniting their love amid the trauma that previously drove them apart. Their reunion symbolizes hope and the possibility of overcoming deep-rooted prejudices that affected their families.
- 14
Final Acceptance
By the end of the film, Theresa visibly transforms; she gifts her wedding ring back to Maurice as a sign of separation, accepting Samer as her son-in-law. This act marks a significant turning point in the narrative, highlighting growth and the potential for healing.
- 15
Celebration of Love
The movie concludes with the joyous wedding of Samer and Ghada, where both families come together in celebration. This final scene encapsulates the overarching themes of love, acceptance, and the triumph of unity over division.
Where:Wedding Venue
Who Are the Main Characters in Solitaire?
3 characters, among them Therese, Ghada and Samer: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 2 of them link to the actor’s page.
- T
Therese
Played by Julia Kassar
Therese is a strong-willed Lebanese woman grieving her brother's death during the Syrian war. Her character grapples with personal loss and prejudice, influencing her dynamic with her daughter's suitor, who is Syrian. As the story progresses, she embarks on a journey of realization, acknowledging her mistakes and embracing change.
- 👩👧 Motherhood
- 💔 Grief
- 🎭 Transformation
- G
Ghada
Ghada is Therese's daughter, caught between her familial loyalty and her feelings for Samer. Her character exhibits a sense of longing and independence, struggling with her mother's expectations and her own desires. Throughout the film, her evolution towards self-acceptance is central to the narrative.
- 💃 Independence
- 💞 Romance
- 🌱 Growth
- S
Samer
Played by Jaber Jokhadar
Samer is depicted as a caring and sensitive suitor, grappling with the societal stigma of his Syrian heritage. His love for Ghada faces trials due to the prejudices of her family, particularly from Theresa. Despite these challenges, he demonstrates resilience and a strong commitment to his relationship with Ghada.
- ❤️ Love
- 💪 Resilience
- 🌍 Identity
Where and When Is Solitaire Set?
Solitaire is set in Lebanon, Syria, Dubai and Turkey. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The events in the film unfold during contemporary times, capturing modern social issues related to refugee status and cultural tensions. This period is marked by ongoing discussions around nationalism and familial bonds in the face of historical grievances rooted in the Lebanese-Syrian conflict. The characters' interactions also reflect a present-day backdrop of engagement and relationship dynamics.
Where
Lebanon, Syria, Dubai, Turkey
The film primarily takes place in Lebanon, showcasing family dynamics against a backdrop of cultural tensions. Key locations include the homes where the characters engage in emotional confrontations and the streets reflective of Lebanese society amidst the Syrian refugee crisis. The interaction between Syrian and Lebanese families highlights the complexities of identity and acceptance in a region marked by conflict.
- 🏙️ City
- 🌍 International
- 🎉 Celebration
What Are the Themes of Solitaire?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Unity, Racism and Love.
-
01
Unity
The film delves into the theme of unity as it navigates familial relationships across cultural and national divides. It illustrates how love can emerge even in strained circumstances, highlighting the complexities of acceptance within a traditionally divided society. Ultimately, the characters learn that through understanding and reconciliation, families can bridge their differences.
-
02
Racism
Racism is a central theme, vividly portrayed through Theresa's initial prejudice against Syrians, which stems from her personal loss and societal conditioning. The film confronts the harmful impacts of racism on relationships and family cohesion, challenging characters to face their biases and reevaluate their views towards others. It emphasizes the need for dialogue and empathy in overcoming deeply ingrained resentments.
-
03
Love
Love, in its many forms, serves as a powerful theme throughout the movie, showcasing the complexities of romantic and familial love. The narrative highlights the struggles of Ghada and Samer to navigate their relationship amidst external pressures and familial expectations. Ultimately, love triumphs, demonstrating that with open hearts, reconciliation is possible even after conflict.
What Kind of Film Is Solitaire?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Mixed
A warm but tense Lebanese family drama where grief and prejudice collide during a single engagement visit, slowly cracking open old wounds before finding healing.
- warm
- awkward
- tense
- nostalgic
- emotional
- conflicted
- prejudice and acceptance
- cross cultural marriage
- grief and loss
- family dynamics
Content notes: infidelity, grief and bereavement, xenophobia, physical altercation, war related trauma.
Quiz
How well do you remember Solitaire? Test yourself on the story.
