Review of Climates (2006) by Lynn K — 11 Dec 2010

I usually love Turkish films. However, I disagree with what seems a copycat mentality of great reviews. Nuri and Ebru had no screen presence, their acting (especially Ebru's) seemed awkward and exhausting, and most importantly, I could not feel any emotion or even connection for/with either character.

I'm also dismayed at reviewers who write about Nuri's artistic filming; there were many missed shots that could have made this film breathtaking. For instance, at the very beginning of the film, Nuri was taking photographs at an ancient ruin site and Ebru was shown sitting on a hill crying.

In the background there was an image of a plane hill. Why was this scene not shot from the opposite angle to show the ancient ruins in the background as Ebru cried? The film's name is "Climate," why did Nuri not show more scenes of his character taking photographs of ancient ruins covered in snow? In the end, I could have dealt with feeling no empathy for Nuri, but there is no way that I can get over the casting of his wife Ebru.

I am sure there are many other Turkish actresses that audience members could have felt for and bonded with. I doubt that any viewers felt anything for Ebru but their own feeling of uncomfortableness in having to sit through her scenes for 1-1/2 hours.

Even her eyes seemed void of any unique qualities of a person or an actor. Then again, maybe that was Nuri's point.