Bliss

Because I have read the novel, comparing novel and the movie is inevitable. In Livaneli's book there are political messages with the stories. Political side become more concrete than happenings. In the novel without giving an importance to characters all three characters – Meryem, Irfan, Cemal- were depicted in detail. Contrary to the novel, in movie there is Meryem in the center of the story. Irfan and Cemal were stayed at the side. Political views were not mentioned in the movie as in the novel.

If we take into consideration the total Mutluluk can be valued as a successful movie. Photographic scenes, music's, players, story are suit each other in great harmony. Ozgu Namal is so naive and so talented, Murat Han acted well, Talat Bulut could be more supportive, Lale Mansur is seen very few. Other players played in middle range.

Abdullah Oguz did well by Mutluluk. I got some questions in my mind. The story is told about the traditions. In Turkey there are traditions and these traditions can hurt the people and change their lives entirely. If you make a film of such a situation which is against the Turkey, it is easy to find a capital/support for movie. I wonder why.

Turkey, the exotic land of two continents. The westernized, colorful country in the large urban areas, and conservative, almost different century living in the remote, rural parts. Hence, the encounter between the jaded professor and the two lost young souls entangled in the madness of old traditions and beliefs. This beautifully filmed movie, slowly unravel these troubled lives. They touch upon each other, spend some time together and leave changed and perhaps a bit happier. Gentle, thoughtful film, acted with subtle passion and clarity, and above all, the stunning camera work.The breathtaking beauty of Turkish landscape tells the story of its own.

'Mutluluk' is going to be an important step in the growing film industry of Turkey…

This is one of the most impressive movie since 'Eskiya'. I read the book and I can easily say that this is really very good adaptation of the book.The directing, acting and especially art directing is really successful. The score of the film was conducted bye the writer of the book 'Zulfu Livaneli'( who is also a great musician.) and gives the deep feeling of the book..This movie is about three characters escaping from their destinies… If you want to watch an amazing story go and watch the crashing stories of Meryem, Cemal and Irfan who is a professor who wants to escape from the lies and dirt of his fake life. Acting was very good. Although all of the cast is good 'Ozgu Namal' (Meryem) is one step beyond them.. She is fabulous…..

All in all, whether you read the book or not , if you want to watch a good film go and watch this film

There are absolutely only two reasons why I loved this movie. First one is the way it was written. It is expected and unexpected at the same time. It takes so many different turns that it becomes hard to what to expect for the next second. The second one was of course the acting. Everyone played their parts extremely well. I felt like I was one of them and experiencing the same kind of emotions. I could not keep myself from crying and laughing at the same time. It really is hard to find movies like this. And of course what really impressed me was the ending. I have really found what I was looking for. It is kind of rare to find movies that have satisfying endings. I would also like to use this opportunity to recommend couple more movies for those who share the same kind of movie taste; Babam ve Oglum, Kabadayi

This delicately-paced story about the ironclad Turkish custom of honor killing encompasses all the restrictive practices of closed societies that grant no freedom to women and punish them for the sins of the men. Because young Meryem has been raped, she must be sent to Istanbul to be executed far from the shame at home.

Although the story has been told innumerable times, Bliss is as fresh as the Turkish breeze blowing over the sailboat Meryem and her cousin, Cemal, find refuge on after he fails to kill her transporting her to the city. It is difficult to expunge the images, like those in Knife in the Water, of purity and violation that hang around the boat while the skipper professor, knowing nothing of the horror Meryem has been through, takes on the couple as crew and eventually as students in the art of leading a happy life.

Director Abdullah Ogduz successfully mixes the lyrical escape with the impending doom, the happiness tainted by her past as an impure woman, and the relentless pursuit by a family bound to kill the young woman.

The three principals are as powerful as any others in this year's canon: Cemal is a robust young ex-soldier used to obeying officers and his father; Meryem, who refuses to accuse anyone of the rape, is a naïve with a second-grade education fascinated by the ship's map, a gentle metaphor for the transforming nature of the trip; professor Irfan, is a handsome, charismatic older man, who must navigate his own life to reach a more peaceful place, but not before he teaches the couple about love and life.

Bliss is an ironic title or not depending on your orientation. I recommend you make up you mind by seeing one of the simple sea stories that tells a much larger tale about repression and the emergence of women from imprisonment.

Maryem's innocent face will haunt you as the images of the romantic boat lull you into complacency about the hidden horrors of repressive societies.

Bliss is one of the best films to sail into theaters in the last two years.