82. Hadi Be Oglum; movie review

HADI BE OGLUM
Cert 12A
112 mins
BBFC advice: Moderate bad language, discriminatory terms

What happened to the weepie?
I vaguely recall this being a cinema genre back in the 50s and 60s although I confess I can't recall a single movie which would fit the pigeon hole.
Anyway, without a doubt, Bora Egemen's Hadi Be Oglum is, indeed, a weepie - there is even a constant flow of tears from its central character.
Kivanç Tatlitug plays Ali, an easygoing deckhand who works on his father's tourist boat and has his world turned upside down when he makes a client (Büsra Develi) pregnant.
Theirs was just a one-night stand and she doesn't want the child so Ali agrees to take custody.
However, it turns out to be the hardest ride of his life because the boy (Alihan Türkdemir), despite being undiagnosed, is clearly at the more extreme end of the autistic spectrum.
This provides huge problems for Ali, a very tactile highly emotional character, who receives no loving response from the son he adores.
However, during his ceaseless quest to unlock a spirit within the boy, a glimmer of light is shone by his reaction to music.
There are a number of plot holes in Hadi Be Oglum - not least that it is inconceivable in the modern world that autism would be undiagnosed or ignored by the medical profession.
If he knew what was wrong with his son, Ali's frustrations would be reduced and he would be bound to take action to alleviate the boy's issues (maybe give him ear defenders to protect him against loud noise?).
There are, however, a number of factors which are central to the allure of Egemen's movie - not least the passionate performance of Tatlitug and the deadpan contribution of Türkdemir.
And, of course, there is the beauty of the Turkish coast. The backdrop looks so inviting, it could well prompt a holiday booking.
Hadi Be Oglum wasn't quite powerful enough to prompt Mrs W to shed a tear but it nearly did and we were glad we stopped off at Lee Valley Odeon on our way back from a weekend in Brighton to catch it.

Reasons to watch: classic weepie
Reasons to avoid: irritating plot holes

Laughs: none for us - plenty of chortles elsewhere
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 2/10

The big question: Is autism not as easily recognised in Turkey?

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