MUSTANG (2015)

2/24/2016 - Mustang (2015) - 6+/10

Tough not to compare this film to its spiritual, tonal, and contextual sister "The Virgin Suicides". I didn't feel this was as poetic, darkly whimsical, metaphorical, or as visually enticing as VS. Mustang is much more "slice of life" and culturally disquieting, being about the manner in which girls/women in Turkey must live their lives. It does an admirable job of bringing us into this world, these girls lives, and is an above average film in its own right.

Subtleties and dramatic resonance lurk about, but the totality was somewhat stolid and guileless. The plot points seemed too self contained, leading to a "jumpy" sort of flow. Not to say that they were not good, and there was certainly a strong through line that kept my attention (especially the dark secret only hinted at throughout - loved that), but the cohesion was only in the broadest of sense, when I think it could have been tighter.

These angelic young actresses did a wonderful job but the film suffered from a quaintness, when it could have been "louder" and "rougher". Perhaps I am being too harsh. I certainly did like the film and think it has many weighty and necessary messages about women's situations/struggles in Turkey and in general. The drama was magnetic and finely executed, but lacked that next level.

This was a valuable and quality film, but not extraordinary.