Chokehold

No escape when it comes to my puns you say? It may be something different, but you'll have to watch the movie to know, so no pun intended. The title, the original one sounds a bit strange to say the least. Kind of dubious in a way. Kind of something you have to figure out - like the main character. Do you feel for him, having lost so much - or are you more sympathetic with the "others"? As the movie progresses you will know - actually some may be able to figure it a lot sooner than others.

If you like dramas with great performances, that deliver on ambiguity as well ... well you could choose worse than this movie right here. The movie may leave you with a lot of feelings, not all with a positive vibe ... you'll have to be aware of that and everything will be good ... well maybe not everything...

"Chokehold" is an interesting slow-burner with some fine thrilling elements that has everything to please its audience, yet it doesn't bring anything new to the genre neither manages to bring anything that can make viewers discussing much about it afterwards. Thanks to the critical character played by Kivanç Tatlitug is that keep ourselves slightly glued to the screen just wanting to know how he's gonna solve all the problems he causes or are thrown upon him. The guy is like a magnet to attract problems, and he always needs to be quick on his wits to find ways and means to solve everything.

Tatlitug plays a Yalin, a businessman involved in some shady scheme in Istanbul that he needs to retreat himself and his wife (Funda Eryigit) to a distant location area in the Aegean area to avoid conflicts as the charges against him are pending in court. Peace and quiet cannot be found since all the locals know exactly who he is - some because he lived there during his childhood and his father is a wealthy man; others know him because of the finantial scandal they think he caused upon them, and because all of that he needs to find ways to fight for his life, becoming a hunted man, but he also needs to assure his wife that everything's under control and they can live quietly.

Story keeps a very slow manner, everything keeps unfolding in a quiet manner and the more we discover about Yalin, our hero initially, the more we find out he's not all that good a person. Surely, the violence can be excused in a way since he's just defending himself from the vicious attacks he suffers, but one may wonder if he's all that innocent from the crimes they said he committed with his company, why he never manages to say anything for himself, or try some argument?

Through the whole ordeal, he just run away and hide until the breaking point comes and murder becomes the sollution.

I went in without much expectations yet I was satisfied with most of what I've seen. The way Yalin's scandal is treated is interesting for the time being, since it's a frequent thing that's always on the news, and to mix that with a revenge from those he harmed makes up an interesting concept. The few obstacles that prevent "Chokehold" in becoming better than it is comes from some less realistic elements, implausible moments or some lack of following things through (lousy police work and there's no way it could be said they fail on purpose. Script error indeed). And there are so many elements that could be added into the mix, to make Yalin's crusade something even more dangerous could be included yet the script fails for not spicing things up, for the benefit of a story that has many good things to show, yet it makes things all a little too simple.

It's a fine thriller that can also works as a dramatic character study about a pathological liar who lies so well and so good that everybody belives in him.

But knowing he can't escape himself and neither others for too long, that challenge is more difficult to solve than all the web of lies, hurt and deception he left all the way behind him. Is there actually a way out? 6/10.

Definitely a noirish film, not one I could appreciate. I am curious about the writer and what other movies he has written. The main charactor was not the aggresser in his bad deeds, he was just defending himself; except in the end. That was a shock! Interesting how the writer wanted us to know that money talks and can forgive bad deeds. Watching films of locations where I have traveled is always rewarding. The actor is talented and very good looking although they protrayed him as bedraggled and certainly not walking a runway. As I am writing this, I have gone from a 2 star rating to a 7. Just because it was not my cup of tea, I should be fair and reasonable.

When you check the ratings in here, it's obvious that many people did not understand message. Its a great movie to show how our recent society is prisoning themselves. The dog at the end of the movie is the guardian of the hell gates. Good scenario amazing acting as usual by Kivanc Tatlitug. The movie are for those who loves slow but good ending movie that's leaves a lot of thoughts about life and society. I recommend to everyone to watch this without considering the rating of audience! Turkish cinema is as usual great. Amazing pictures and amazing acting and amazing message. Thanks for everyone for such a great movie!

First of all the movie is very slow and most of the scenes consist of Yalin (Kivanc) being paranoid. He basically forked a lot of people over by stealing their money and he actually got away with it. So naturally Turkish people, being extra spitefull and triggered, have to have their revenge.

The funny thing is that even the police tells Yalin that the whole village will be hunting him down and that they will not help him. And that is basically the summary of the movie: angry village people trying to kill Yalin amd how he deals with it.

The suspence scenes are good. Eventhough there are a lot of unecesseray scenes Kivanc and Funda's acting remains well-round. The ending has a plottwist that tries to invite the viewers to a discussion about the power of money in Turkey.