A True Gentleman Book Review: An Analysis of Its Bildungsroman Failures
Netflix has recently added the romantic drama A True Gentleman to its library on September 26, 2024. Directed by Onur Bilgetay, the film features Çagatay Ulusoy and Ebru Sahin in lead roles.
The plot revolves around Saygin, a gigolo who meets Nehir, a young woman, at a party and falls in love with her. According to the official synopsis provided by Rotten Tomatoes:
“Saygın appears to have carved out a place for himself in a world of luxury and glitter. To most in the city, he is seen as the ultimate for wealthy women—a seductive and aloof charmer. Yet, beneath this polished charm lies a starkly different reality… As a result, the meticulously constructed balance of his life starts to unravel.”
A True Gentleman offers viewers a glimpse of hope for Saygin’s transformation after he falls in love, hinting at a Bildungsroman theme in its synopsis and trailer.
A True Gentleman: An Unsuccessful Bildungsroman Attempt
The film, now available on Netflix, delves into the character development of Saygin right from the start, portraying him as a charming and intelligent male escort. However, as the story unfolds and Saygin meets Nehir, the potential for a transformative love story is delayed and ultimately unfulfilled, which may leave fans of the romantic genre feeling disheartened.
After an enticing and tense opening, viewers yearn for more poignant moments, yet the story’s progression feels stagnant. Many of the intimate scenes come off as either awkward or lacking depth, leading to noticeable narrative gaps as the plot advances.
Early in the film, Saygin commits to Sirap, one of his clients, vowing to be exclusively hers and refraining from physical relations with other women after she gifts him a house. However, Saygin’s commitment is consistently broken, with much of the film taking place in this confined setting, which adds to the stifling atmosphere.
Although Saygin meets Nehir early in the film, their love story feels incomplete until the very end, concluding in a way that disappoints the audience. Despite being aware of his feelings for her, Saygin fails to express his love throughout the movie. When Nehir eventually discovers the truth about Saygin, viewers might hope for a reunion, yet this does not materialize.
As the film approaches its conclusion, Saygin chooses to leave his life as a male escort to pursue a passion for cooking. In a hopeful twist, he unexpectedly encounters Nehir at a restaurant, reigniting the possibility of their romance.
However, just as viewers are offered a glimmer of possibility when Nehir invites Saygin to her debut performance, the scene shifts away, leaving their potential romance unresolved. The film’s ending feels improbable and prompts speculation about whether their relationship could flourish if she indeed attends the show.
Despite his role as a male gigolo, Saygin is portrayed as shrewd and considerate towards the women he serves. His character yearns to escape his current life to love a woman authentically—not one seeking his charm.
Nonetheless, Saygin’s aspirations and personal growth are ultimately neglected, leading to a sense of failure in character development. Viewers may perceive that, while aware of his desires from the beginning, Saygin’s lack of growth stems from a poorly constructed script.
In summary, the one hour and fifty-minute runtime of A True Gentleman does not meet expectations, and its conclusion leaves much to be desired. Additionally, viewers may find the English audio and subtitles on Netflix somewhat jarring, as the movie is originally in Turkish.
Final Score: 3/5
A True Gentleman is currently streaming on Netflix.
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