Turkey has been quiet for some time on Netflix. It was in early October or late September that I watched Do Not Disturb from the region.
The Tailor season 3 also came out recently but it wasn’t a standalone creation. A new film, Last Call for Istanbul, has premiered on the platform.
My initial reaction upon reading the title was it must be a crime thriller. But, to my surprise, it happens to be a bittersweet romantic drama.
The film is fairly short in terms of length, running for one and a half hours. Scroll below for my review.
Last Call for Istanbul Synopsis
Two strangers accidentally meet at the airport in New York and instantly fall for each other. Their supposed good time together brings more tension than fun.
Will their meeting transpire into a new dawn or destiny has something else in mind?
Directed by Gonenc Uyanik, the Turkish movie stars Kivanc Tatlitug (Mehmut) and Beren Saat (Serin).
What Works for Last Call for Istanbul?
The idea is quite brilliant, and even better is the execution.
Putting out a story that doesn’t have many striking elements or dramatic visuals is not easy.
A simple meeting between two strangers is nothing novel.
Rom-coms are designed that way most of the time.
As recent as the American romcom, Love at First Sight, explored the exact same initial premise.
So, when Mehmut and Serin lock eyes with each other at the airport, it is only natural for you to think of Last Call for Istanbul as “one of those movies.”
However, if you give the film a chance, it might just end up surprising you to some extent.
Serin’s luggage mix-up sets the stage for an unexpected night in a hotel with Mehmut by her side.
The narrative hinges on a significant twist, the acceptance of which largely depends on individual preferences.
Furthermore, Last Call for Istanbul has a charming ambiance of love and sweetness that invites you to dive right in.
It uses conversations, affable screen maneuvers, and non-confrontational background scores to achieve exoticism.
The movie’s narrational screenplay is cool and also interesting.
They choose a twisted narrative over a straightforward one and it pays off well, in hindsight.
Moreover, Last Call for Istanbul is powered by a brisk pace that shoulders the movie really well.
A bit slower and it might have slipped into oblivion.
How are the Performances?
Kivanc Tatlitug plays Mehmut in Last Call for Istanbul. His countenance is unassuming and natural.
You will find him easy-going yet authoritative. Kivanc brings the required smoothness that makes him appear elegant on the screen.
I would have loved to see his specific flair for drama but sadly, it doesn’t find an overt display in the movie.
Beren Saat as Serin has a mesmerizing command over her character, which doesn’t let boredom kick in.
Her refined portrayal injects delightful energy into a genre that often succumbs to monotony after a certain point, effectively steering the film clear of lethargy.
Saat’s breezy personification revitalizes your senses.
What Doesn’t Work for Last Call for Istanbul?
There are filler scenes in the movie that do not help its cause. Though they must have been used to evoke vibrancy, the results are the exact opposite.
Not having them would have further reduced the runtime by a few minutes. Things would have been crisper and better.
Moreover, the primary twist is predictable. You can get a hint of what is about to happen. The makers do try to camouflage it, and their efforts are commendable.
Should You Watch Last Call for Istanbul?
Yes, the film has the potential to impress you, given its strong plotting. The only way you might not like it is by completely disregarding the idea at the halfway mark.
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