The movie is a good attempt to create something original. In fact, it is *quite* good if you know the history of the Turkish cinema. (which is quite lacking in almost everything.) The plot is presented comprehensively and there are some effective scenes with professional camera, but the presentation of the theme - facing the true self - is hindered by characters lacking motive. We do not have a movie that is comparable to "Eskiya." (Another contemporary Turkish movie.)
The forté of the movie is the horror scenes. Some contemporary techniques - apparently inspired by "Ringu" - are used successfully to create suspense. However, these scenes are rare, and fail to save the rest of the movie.
We have a comprehensive plot, successfully told in flashbacks. However, many of the causes for the behavior of the characters is missing: How come does Mustafa, successful in life business life, apparently in control, go out to chase the taxi driver while he has an orphaned child and an active business life to take care of? Apparently because underneath the strong shell, we have a weak character. In that case, how come the weak character, unearthed by the new set of events, kidnaps and keeps the taxi driver with such determination as to torture and interrogate him for days?
Even if we had a plausible explanation for this strong determination, we still see no reason for Mustafa to change his mind and let the driver go free. We are shown that Mustafa faces a terrible memory from childhood. However, we do not see how facing the memory of childhood fratricide enables Mustafa to overcome his jealousy (which is why he kidnapped the driver in the first place.)
Also we have no convincing reason for Ceren's infidelity. We have the slightest hint that Mustafa may have been too much concerned with his job, but this is not presented sufficiently. The driver has an explanation: "Women cheat on their husbands sometimes; there is no reason." This is far beyond what anyone calls convincing explanation.
The camera is professional, which is to be expected with all the experience Turkish directors had in the advertisement sector which boomed in Turkey in the last decade.
We do see "everything" about Mustafa, but "everything" about Mustafa do not come together to make a real person. The theme of "facing the true self" is not debated realistically. If you want to see redemption, watch "Schindler's List." If you want to see horror, watch "Ring." If you want to see something Turkish and original, watch "Eskiya." "Eveything About Mustafa" is simply not worth it.
The forté of the movie is the horror scenes. Some contemporary techniques - apparently inspired by "Ringu" - are used successfully to create suspense. However, these scenes are rare, and fail to save the rest of the movie.
We have a comprehensive plot, successfully told in flashbacks. However, many of the causes for the behavior of the characters is missing: How come does Mustafa, successful in life business life, apparently in control, go out to chase the taxi driver while he has an orphaned child and an active business life to take care of? Apparently because underneath the strong shell, we have a weak character. In that case, how come the weak character, unearthed by the new set of events, kidnaps and keeps the taxi driver with such determination as to torture and interrogate him for days?
Even if we had a plausible explanation for this strong determination, we still see no reason for Mustafa to change his mind and let the driver go free. We are shown that Mustafa faces a terrible memory from childhood. However, we do not see how facing the memory of childhood fratricide enables Mustafa to overcome his jealousy (which is why he kidnapped the driver in the first place.)
Also we have no convincing reason for Ceren's infidelity. We have the slightest hint that Mustafa may have been too much concerned with his job, but this is not presented sufficiently. The driver has an explanation: "Women cheat on their husbands sometimes; there is no reason." This is far beyond what anyone calls convincing explanation.
The camera is professional, which is to be expected with all the experience Turkish directors had in the advertisement sector which boomed in Turkey in the last decade.
We do see "everything" about Mustafa, but "everything" about Mustafa do not come together to make a real person. The theme of "facing the true self" is not debated realistically. If you want to see redemption, watch "Schindler's List." If you want to see horror, watch "Ring." If you want to see something Turkish and original, watch "Eskiya." "Eveything About Mustafa" is simply not worth it.