Le saltimbanque

At first glance, Hokkabaz is not a comedy movie. We are guided wrong by media and by advertisement. There are tragedy and dram in the body of Hokkabaz. If you expect to see comedy, you will probably get disappointment, because the movie is not comedy. If we separate laughing problem, Hokkabaz is a successful movie from strong story to talented players.

Cem Yilmaz was quite talented in his role as Iskender - as loser magician. Mazhar Alanson was like from one of us, his play was warm. Ozlem Tekin should progress herself a bit more in playing, but she is really beautiful. Tuna Orhan as Maradona, my favorite football player, number ten, I will remember you with electronic organ.

I would be much more happy, if we see more preview from Canakkale – Dardanelle, Sehidlik. I know story did not permit this request, just see it as a wish.

I went to theater to laugh, since Cem Yilmaz is one of the best comedians of Turkey but this is more a drama. the screenplay is quite impressive. and players are doing their bests. especially Mazhar Alanson and Ozlem Tekin is going great job although they are not professionals(both of them are musicians)

Directing is very good though its the first directing trial of Cem Yilmaz. He got a lot of help from the second director of the movie who is a much more experienced director: Ali Taner Baltaci. Ali Taner Baltaci directed movies Vizontele and Vizontele Tuuba perfectly before. Cem yılmaz was starring in Vizontele.

I could say 7 up to 10. worth to see.

This movie is perfectly told and acted with a sense of humor.One of the best Turkish movies in the last 10 years.Better than other C.Yilmaz movies.Screenplay,actors,photography,jokes everything is perfect.You are laughing all the time,its easy to follow,you don't understand how the time goes by.It couldn't be better...

But there is something I don't understand.The audience in Turkey didn't like the movie much.It is even underrated in IMDb.I thought people who know something about movies are voting here but I see they don't.Thats because they are just watching comedy and horror movies which you cant learn much about movies.I am sorry I respect other opinions but this movie is too good.I think they will understand what I mean if they watch some hundred movies...

There is an undeniable resemblance between this story and Cem Yilmaz's first movie Hersey Çok Güzel Olacak. I think Cem Yilmaz should have chosen a completely different story to avoid any competition between the two movies, in which this one will be the obvious loser.

For a genius comedian such as Cem Yilmaz, the story is unexpectedly weak. For most of the scenes the movie seems to rely on the performances of the actors, and it is really a good thing to have a bunch of well qualified actors in the movie. The script has some very beautiful peak points, and i don't know how Cem Yilmaz missed the opportunity to use them to the last draining point.

The movie makes you laugh, if this is what you are looking for in a Cem Yilmaz movie. And it helps you having a fun time, but when the movie ends, you feel like there is something missing in it, and if you think about it, you will see that it is the script as a whole is missing.

first of all ask yourself what are your expectations about this film. because, people who wait a comedy will be disappointed. this is not a comedy but it has a particular humor. when i compare Hokkabaz to Gora which was Yilmaz's recent script i can see the big difference between scripts. this difference is about being tactful(for Hokkabaz's script). anyway actors are also successful and convincing, especially Mazhar Alanson. this film is Yilmaz's first experience on the director seat so you can't say it is a masterpiece but it is watch worthy and sophisticated drama i think.

7/10