Pretty fine movie overall ( spoilers)

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2014)

One thing I believe this movie does well is the portrayal of the Turks as a complex, cultured people. The excellent actor Yilmaz Urdogan is a major player in this of course, but credit must go to Russell Crowe for his direction, and though he has himself starring, he is a generous lead actor and not at all afraid of portraying a character less than utterly heroic. The almost supernatural element of his water divining and , by extension, the ability to know where his sons fell was fine by me, I don't need total realism to like a movie or a book . Where I found it less than likely in an unacceptable way was around the finding of the surviving son. If one is to believe he was so damaged and guilt ridden as to give no word - at all - for four years - to parents (whom he knew loved him greatly) then I find his apparent sudden and complete return to normalcy on meeting his father completely unlikely. Granted he confessed and explained and was forgiven but that might have been done by letter years before . He seemed so returned to normal as to be able to make little jokes even . Not believable to my mind. Also a false note, I thought, was connected to Ayshe's son. It was clearly a cultured, middle class family , even if a little short of money. I found it unlikely she would have allowed him to be down at the docks touting for customers. He'd have probably loved it, being just at the age to be adventurous and want to feel useful. I just think she would have been less than happy about it. And his conventionally-minded uncle certainly would ! And while I'm discussing what IMO were weaker parts, I could actually have done without a the love story angle, which felt like an addition for box office purposes, though a well executed one admittedly . I really liked the gravity and dignity with which they both approached each other however, and I am always more moved by a gesture and a intimate smile than the tearing off of clothes. So well done, if superfluous, if that makes sense .
All in all, a good Boxing Day movie and I am glad to have seen it and glad to find Russell is still my favourite leading man !