A True Gentleman of the Past is a film that promises love, intimacy, and passion but leaves only a vague impression, a vague and indefinite memory.
A True Gentleman of the Past, directed by Onur Bilgetay and recently added to the catalog of films available on Netflix, presents itself as a story of personal growth and change but fails to keep its promises. The film tells the story of Saygin, a gigolo who lives between luxury and seduction, but who hides an inner complexity that makes him more than just a charming figure.
His meeting with Nehir seems destined to change his existence, suggesting a possible evolution of the character in line with a path of transformation. However, the screenplay fails to develop this inner growth, limiting itself to a narrative that leaves the protagonist trapped in his initial habits.
A True Gentleman, a Broken Promise
One of the main problems of the film is the poor evolution of the relationship between Saygin and Nehir. After an initial meeting that seems to herald a passionate love story, the focus of the film quickly shifts to the dynamics between Saygin and one of his wealthiest clients, Sirap, reducing the space to explore the potential change of the protagonist. This shift in the narrative limits the depth of the plot and, above all, slows the pace of the film, with many scenes that seem repetitive and lack real progress. Saygin, despite seemingly looking for a way out of his life as a gigolo, remains trapped in a routine without any real turning points.
Even the most intimate scenes, which should have added emotional tension and depth to the film, are lacking in impact. Rather than creating a connection between the characters, these sequences seem forced and unable to give impetus to the plot.
The relationship between Saygin and Nehir, which should be the emotional heart of the film, remains superficial and underdeveloped, making it difficult for the audience to emotionally invest in the two protagonists. Although Saygin seems to be aware of his desire for change, the film never allows him to truly realize his dreams and aspirations, leading to a stagnation of the character.
The ending of the film, which could have offered a more satisfying resolution, instead leaves the audience with a sense of incompleteness. Saygin leaves his job as a gigolo to pursue a career as a chef and unexpectedly finds himself face-to-face with Nehir in a restaurant. This final meeting seems to open the possibility of a reconciliation or at least an emotional confrontation, but the film does not develop this path further. When Nehir invites Saygin to his show, the scene ends without the viewers seeing whether the two will be able to resume their relationship. This lack of a clear closure leaves a feeling of frustration as if the film never reached its full narrative potential.
A True Gentleman: Evaluation and Conclusion
A True Gentleman proves to be a missed opportunity. Despite good performances by Çagatay Ulusoy and Ebru Sahin and visually interesting direction, the plot fails to develop satisfactorily. The theme of personal transformation and the search for love remains only hinted at, leaving the audience with a fragmented story and characters that never find a true resolution. The film, with its stagnant narrative and an incomplete ending, struggles to maintain the viewer’s attention, resulting in an overall disappointing experience for those looking for a true emotional and narrative evolution.