dansview

This movie is not really about Istanbul per say, except as a metaphor, as many big cities are, for escaping to the masses.

Meaning away from the fishbowl of where you came from, and the limiting borders of your previous existence, and to the generic mass of humanity, where you either lose yourself or find yourself. Or possibly both.

The premise is interesting, if not fully fleshed out. Students of architecture are asked to share the impact the city has had on them.

Our two leads, both female, have come to the city from a smaller city many hours away. One came a long time ago, and one just recently. You see the before and after effects. The seasoned, hardened mature woman, and the fresh-faced acolyte.

You never see any of the students sketching things. Yet you would think that architecture majors would be constantly drafting. There is very little discussion about buildings or urban planning.

But there is plenty of narration about the neighborhoods of the city as experienced by the young lead. The mature woman is done with this city and the country. That's an important part of the story.

The combined forces of a complex and perhaps suffocating culture, and her personal baggage have beat her down.

There is no action in this movie whatsoever, nor sex. It is strictly discussions, arguments, crying, and philosophical observations.

The main characters feel torn between obligation, and the yearning to be free. People who make movies are generally liberal and sometimes free spirits.

So don't be surprised that this film presents traditional religion as burdensome to women. Some may find it offensive. There is some graphic symbolization.

Casting was impressive. The mature lead has a gravitas about her that draws you in. The young one is radiant.

The cinematography is excellent. There are interesting shots of the city and creative angles.

But be ready for potential boredom too. Because there is an enormous amount of talking, shots of people listening or thinking, and crying.

Turkey is an ancient place. Let's hear more about what exactly plagues the city and country, that is driving out one lead and baffling the other.

I gave it a 7 because it's a clever concept and the acting was good. Hey you can do a movie about anyone you want.

If you want to see a film about people who love Bill Clinton, 90s music, and secular values go ahead. Perhaps the intended audience is that demographic.

If you're culturally, socially, or politically conservative, you find it off-putting. Despite a lot of sexual innuendo, there is no sex here. That shows restraint, which is actually conservative.

You get a front seat for a man's journey, as he enters the career world and finds romance. But that doesn't mean that either him or the ladies are admirable or enjoyable characters.

Nor do characters need to be those things. Although it would help if they are likeable, because you want to root for them.

These people refer to lovers as if they are just casual nibbles from a box of crackers.

Like sharing your heart and your body with multiple people is just a natural process of life. Granted a huge percentage of postmodern people do think and live this way.

The use of music was awkward and obvious, as were the 90s references in general. I always prefer subtlety with soundtracks.

I believed J. K. Simmons' depression. He sold it well.

He also makes a key statement about the way he was before and after meeting his wife. To an extent, he was already a depressed person prior to meeting his wife. So he has just returned to being a guy without a lifeforce.

I wasn't sure about the boy's performance for the first half of the film, but I sure changed my mind.

Once he began to show frustration with everything and expressing himself, he hit a home run. I didn't know he had it in him.

People need each other. That's really the theme. The Simmons character isn't exactly a sexy dynamo with his permanent emotionless demeanor and scraggly beard. But a lady is drawn to him.

Perhaps out of loneliness. But also because she senses that a person who feels things so deeply must be a person of value.

Interestingly, if the boy had his way, he would not have joined a sports team. But the school requirement to join forced him to dig deep in his character, where he found reserves of strength and fortitude.

As with so many movies, the characters never seek God as at least part of their approach to healing. I've watched four character-driven pictures lately and no one shared a religious thought.

This movie is very depressing. I had no idea going in. But the characters have an arc. So hang in there and enjoy the ride.