Last Call for Istanbul is a romantic movie directed by Gonenc Uyanik, starring Beren Saat and Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ. It is written by Nuran Evren Şit.
Meeting a handsome, kind guy willing to save your life is something that, at least in movies, happens every day.
The same goes for the opposite, when you arrive in NY and meet a girl ready to smile at JFK. Yes, Manhattan – at least in the movies – is the city of love as well.
“Last Call for Istanbul ” is a romantic comedy that, like many others and true to its genre, revolves around clichés, offering a comfortable time in a city where, thanks to the movies, it seems like we have all grown up.
However, it’s not an American comedy; it’s a Turkish movie with Turkish actors that is clearly divided into two parts, telling us how they meet and the subsequent development of their relationship.
The first part is funny and crazy, while the second part is a movie with a more melancholic, even bitter, touch.
Plot
Two married individuals, brought together by a serendipitous encounter at the airport, embark on an unforgettable night in the vibrant city of New York. Filled with exhilaration, desire, and the allure of temptation, this experience is destined to leave an indelible mark on their lives.
Movie review
In terms of production, it’s good: a well-produced studio film that shows us the timeless city in a wild night where the two protagonists meet and fall in love. With less style than “After Hours” (Scorsese, 1985) and more concessions to the video-clip style, the film always tries to provide the audience with a commercial movie.
That’s the first part: a funny and sympathetic romantic comedy like many others that takes us to when love, or rather the madness of a night, leads us either to settle into a relationship or die in the immaturity of the hangover.
The first part is more Hollywood, while the second part offers more feeling, reflection, and romance (although we warn you, with a somewhat bitter sense).
The protagonists are those incredibly attractive people who only get together among themselves and whom we don’t see in the real world, neither at JFK nor at Charles De Gaulle because, probably, they are shooting the next romantic comedy. Both Kivanç Tatlitug and Beren Saat know how to act, at least at the level required by this production, which needed two marvelous faces, and there they are, with their marvelous faces.
We don’t know if everyone is as good-looking as the actors in Turkish productions, but they have managed to achieve worldwide fame, and the industry has known how to sell their product (in this case, beauty) and make it international.
Kudos to the industry.
Our Opinion
A film that, indeed, provides good entertainment by skillfully blending the sentimental Turkish flavor with a New York-set comedy.
This attempt has something special, it may not win hearts or captivate with originality, but it manages to entertain and, to some extent, escape precisely from what it proposes: just another romantic comedy in New York.
Release Date
November 24, 2023
Where to Watch “Last Call for Istanbul”
Last Call for Istanbul
Original Title: İstanbul İçin Son Çağrı
Year: 2023
Running time: 91 min.
Country: Turkey
Director: Gonenc Uyanik
Screenwriter: Nuran Evren Sit
The Cast
Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ
Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, born on October 27, 1983, is a renowned Turkish actor, model, and former basketball player. He is highly regarded in Turkey and has received numerous prestigious accolades, including three Golden Butterfly Awards and a Yeşilçam Cinema Award. In 2002, Tatlıtuğ was crowned Best Model of Turkey and Best Model of the World. He has established himself as a leading actor in Turkey, captivating audiences with his remarkable performances in acclaimed television series such as Menekşe ile Halil (2007–2008), Aşk-ı Memnu (2008–2010), Kuzey Güney (2011–2013), and Cesur ve Güzel (2016–2017). Notably, he garnered international recognition for his portrayal of researcher Arman in the Netflix original series Into the Night (2020–2021) and Into the Deep (2022).
Beren Saat
Beren Saat, born on 26th February 1984, is an esteemed Turkish actress hailing from Ankara. With an illustrious career, she has garnered widespread praise and a multitude of accolades for her exceptional acting skills. During her time at Başkent University, she showcased her talent by participating in the renowned acting competition, Türkiye’nin Yıldızları, and caught the attention of esteemed Turkish director Tomris Giritlioğlu, thereby commencing her journey in the professional acting realm.
Senan Kara
Senan Kara
Michael Loayza
Susan Slatin
Annie McCain Engman
Joy Donze
Daniel Kwiatkowski
