The Ottoman Lieutenant

A war film. or a romantic one. each discovers what he want. and the only delicate aspect could be the unrealistic expectation. because it is less a political movie, it is less a pledge for a cause or the other but one of beautiful - bitter stories about people, emotions, contact between different worlds and the result of this meet. a film who preserves its noble intentions to the first scene to the last, against pathetic scenes and too many black/white perspective or too sentimental parts. but this does it touching. and, maybe, useful, remembering many other stories about same theme.

The core of this movie is a love story--and a very romantic, engaging one at that. Breathtaking cinematography and gripping storytelling make this an exceptionally watchable piece of filmmaking. The politics of World War I, the horrors of the Turkish collaboration with the Nazis and their genocidal treatment of the Armenians are merely used as a backdrop to show the effects of war on everyday human beings. Along with other reviewers, I found that Hera Hilmar's performance as an American missionary nurse in Turkey quirky and often unconvincing--even just the fact of her hair always hanging in her face as she ministers to wounded men being carried her way on stretchers. She does improve as the film goes on and pretty much redeems herself in a key scene near the end. This is a movie, not a history lesson, and as such it offers viewers much to savor and contemplate.

Things working out for The Ottoman Lieutenant are its fresh talent, though it needs Ben Kingsley to balance that, exotic settings in the Pontus, and an emotional theme that works itself out toward the climax. Good to see Josh Hartnett attempting himself but it clearly the Turkish main lead that does better and establishes himself over the routine.

A good 'break' movie for those who like dedicated cinema, the director does well to stay near his followers and their interpretation as the movie progresses without any needless higher doubts or questions. One can expect more to be said from this team in the future.

A clear case of subjective acceptance where one can take a step back from hard analysis and allow an easy movie an easy reception. Good Show!

The way I see it this is the answer to the Armenian funded "The Promise". Both films have good and bad parts, it's obvious both do have a hidden political message. Both tried to fill the cast with some resounding names. Frankly it seems to me that this movie does not have the intensity generated by its nemesis The Promise. Cinematography is very good but it missing depth, long shots riding over the wheat fields too much repeated, some content empty scenes....well to me it's 5 stars!

Female lead has limited emotional range, and i don't quite see why an Icelandic actor with an accent was cast as an American. We have A LOT of American actresses with farbetter emotional range that could've served this movie well.