A Run for Money

In this year's KVIFF, there were special screenings of Turkish director Reha Erdem's films, whom I have known little about, so this film serves properly as an introductory piece.

The film is a modern-day parable and the thematic target "money" has been under the lash for the story of an upright man's life turns upside down after he inadvertently acquires a bag of windfall. Enjoyably the film follows a strictly engaging narrative, chronically recounts the cause and effect of the psychological swings which is slowly but deadly eroding one's normal life and dramatically impairing one's moral conscience. Although there is an obvious moralizing route going on throughout, the building-up of the tension has been relentlessly effective, a three-way chasing in the ferry is complacently done.

Leading man Taner Birsel has a wooden appearance at first, but his bookish image has managed to be a perfect template of the story, all in all, his average-joe rendition is more convincing and edifying. Zuhal Gencer, stars as the lonely-temptress-next-the-door, but in a very derogatory manner, who is not only ridiculous but miserable as well. When the final repercussions suddenly swoop in out of nowhere, it feels like a "wonderful surprise", as a dooming coda cannot be evaded, what about a wholesome breakdown? It may be the perfect outlet after a series of lies which cannot be amended.

Anyway, the film is a delightful and hold-it-together triumph despite of its slightly orthodox notion, it's a tough call to assess the values of "money is the worst of all evils", since the double-edged theory is dominating our mainstream societies now, A RUN FOR MONEY could be a bold criticizer, and what's more important is its ripple effect may at least give some remedy to some radical money-seekers.

Most studies carried out in the field of sociology suggest that money is not an evil force. It becomes evil when it is obtained through shady means as it is difficult to control ill gotten wealth. This is precisely the theme of "A Run for Money" directed by Turkish director Reha Erdem whose films deserve a wider audience base outside the borders of his native Turkey. The character development especially how it changes the focus of the film is one major reason to watch this film. For this purpose, Reha Erdem chose to base his film on what happens before, during and after the acquisition of a big sum of money by an ordinary character who did not bother to attach much importance to money. Although it is not a thriller, "A run for money" has plenty of minor characters whose timely appearances keep audiences entertained. It has been said time and again that one needs only a wrong move to initiate downfall. This is what happens to our film's protagonist but what is important for viewers is the manner in which the 'financial as well as spiritual ruin' of the protagonist is filmed. If Nuri Bilge Ceylan's phony films get on your nerves then "A run for money" would turn out to be a welcome surprise for you as through this film Reha Erdem emerges as the true author of Turkish cinema who eschews all kinds of pretentiousness which has hitherto helped to promote Turkish cinema on the international scene.

This was my first Turkish movie and I love it! The actors do a great job and makes you really care for them. The plot is made with some twists and turns. Excellent Scenario, acting, characters, and music. Even though I was a little disappointed with the ending, I loved it. It showed how society has turned evil because of money.

A very nice movie about how money corrupts people, even the most honest and conservative ones. Beside being a bit slow, the movie is really very good. The character and story development is very satisfactory. The acting performance of actors was quite good. The plot was clear, consistent, interesting, well thought and novel. The psychology of the main character was given pretty good. The only point I found a bit weird was the end. It could be a bit slower, like some slow motion or some conversation. It reminded the old movies where the story was ending suddenly. Nevertheless, it is a decent movie with a very nice story and pretty good acting.

This is a compelling and gripping film. The plot is strong and intelligent and it develops very well. At its most obvious, it is an interesting exploration of how people and society can become obsessed with money and how this obsession can take over a person and lead to tragedy.

It also deals with a theme, less obvious, of how one's own choices can change one's life and how one can, out of one's own doing, bring about either one's own salvation or one's own destruction. The main character is constantly faced with choices and it is his decision each time that moves the plot along. He repeatedly is faced with a decision that could radically alter the outcome, leading to salvation or deeper into tragedy. The film is all the more fascinating because, aside from the money, there are essentially no outside forces working on the main character, the outside forces bring only choices that he must face and each time it is entirely within his power to choose either way. He essentially chooses his own fate every time leading himself all on his own down the path of trouble.

The film is expertly crafted, with great cinematography, directing, plot development, and acting. As a result, it is extremely compelling and convincing, and the characters are real, evoking strong empathy, sympathy, understanding, anger, and frustration. The film grips one so much that I didn't relax a muscle throughout the whole thing, as I was enveloped in the tension of the film, even though it is not "action-packed" at all.

Moreover, the film convincingly shows how a "normal" person, basically honest but uptight about money already, might react to an event like this. It beautifully portrays the way the fear and uncertainty over his decision in such a chance event eat away at the main character, gradually pushing him deeper to a mental and emotional breaking point, and eroding his very sanity. The film portrays this breakdown wonderfully.

This is a movie that is so effective and powerful that it stays with the viewer long after it's over.