Istanbul Kirmizisi

Often intriguing study of a Turkish expat returning to Istanbul for a script editing job, when his rich, successful filmmaker boss vanishes. This disappearance echoes the expats own, having left Turkey for London to escape memories of a tragedy. There is something a bit simplistic in the way things are doubled, with the expat finding a new home, family, even 'soulmate' of sorts, so that the film tries hard to be tricky and symbolic in an arty way to perhaps cover up this simplicity. It reminded me of a Pamuk novel at times, though less obscure, and with a tragic homosexual angle that didn't quite cinvince me, nor did the hero's return to writing. The performances are fine throughout however, with lots of good silent acting and memorable characters well cast. I also enjoyed the settings of the filmmaker's house, a party scene in a high rise with a seedy bald gay writer who comes across as creepy as the midget in Lost Highway; the filmmaker's family and servants who seemed like real and interesting people, the love interest's husband, who understands the hero's infatuation. I felt like I was meeting real people. There are also plenty of atmospheric views of Istanbul, and the overall pacing and style made this good absorbing viewing, like taking a strange, melancholic holiday there.

Slow movie, 2 boring hours after No trama, nothing happens Disappointed, waist of talent

After watching all of Mr Ozpetek's films, this film came with a huge dissatisfaction. I am so sorry. Don't waste your time folks.

I read the movie critics before I watch. By keeping the opinions in my mind, I watched it carefully, paid attention the sounds, emotions and psychological points of every scenes. I found it very successful, particularly the sensation to be transferred to the viewer. It is a great job. 👏👏👏👏👏

I couldn't find anything nice in this movie. Banal in his scenes, full of cliché, badly written and acted in a somewhat absurd way. Characters pretend to have some deepness when I found them just ridicule or pathetic. And with a very weird way of express themselves. Besides it's exaggereted in many ways, from the way is interpreted to its overdone tragedy that it makes it seem a parody of himself. To me and my girlfriend was a real pain to get to the end. There is a sense of falsehood or fake throughout the entire movie, which is fed by a theatrical screenplay, which, in my opinion worsen things. A real ugly, dull, boring movie.