An intensely moving, powerfully gripping & emotionally engrossing story of love, tragedy & kindness that's further uplifted by brilliant performances from its cast, the Turkish remake of the South Korean film of the same name is a riveting, soul-stirring & wholly satisfying drama that's expertly crafted & beautifully told, and is arguably even better than the 2013 original.
Directed by Mehmet Ada Oztekin, Miracle in Cell No. 7 (7. Kogustaki Mucize) uses the same premise but with a few modifications. The comedy aspect is lessened in favour of a more dramatic & heart-rending interpretation and though it traverses the same route, the tone & feel is a tad different. The sweetness & sentimentality in here can be overpowering but the central relationship makes it all worthwhile.
The real highlight however is the performances, especially from the leading duo. Aras Bulut Iyemli plays the mentally challenged father wrongfully convicted of a crime and he steals the show with remarkable ease. Nisa Sofiya Aksongur is in as his daughter and is adorable & impressive throughout. The relationship between the two is the defining core of this story and it is handled with so much care & tenderness that we are thoroughly invested.
Overall, Miracle in Cell No. 7 is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking and is one of the finest films to surface last year despite the predictable storyline, clichéd elements & melodramatic beats. A soulful, poignant & evocative effort powered by excellent work from its cast n crew, this emotional roller-coaster benefits a lot from its touching father-daughter bonding & strong supporting cast and is by all means worthy of your time. Definitely recommended.
