Mustang

Cohen Media Group | Release Date: November 20, 2015

7.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 108 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

Brent_MarchantJan 19, 2016

A capably made though somewhat heavy-handed attempt at delivering a message about the need to eliminate outmoded values. The ensemble cast is fine, but the script comes across as episodic and meandering, never quite coming together as aA capably made though somewhat heavy-handed attempt at delivering a message about the need to eliminate outmoded values. The ensemble cast is fine, but the script comes across as episodic and meandering, never quite coming together as a compelling, effective cohesive whole. The shifts in tone from humorous to serious seem a bit extreme at times as well. To be sure, I'm genuinely at a loss to understand all the attention being paid to this film in a year that saw many other -- and better -- foreign language releases.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

All this user's reviews

LamontRaymondFeb 1, 2016

An outstanding film. One of the 3 or 4 must-see films of 2015. The acting is incredible, and the message is on-point. I feel terrible for young women in so many parts of the world, but this movie serves as a ray of hope.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

All this user's reviews

ProteusOct 13, 2016

Can I rate this 100? One of the best movies I've ever seen. If you ever felt controlled by your circumstances, by your culture, by your family and you were too young or inexperienced to get out please please watch this film.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

cinecineFeb 7, 2016

Nothing make it real. Ergüven speaking loud in cloud. And there is no sense of art or something else. Her characters, story and "message" is so slack.

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

All this user's reviews

katezoeMay 30, 2016

Exceptional! Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film well deserved. The story of 5 sisters in Turkey, the aftermath of an innocent moment and its consequences is heart wrenching. Incredible performances, and a wonderful script.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

LeZeeMay 14, 2016

The clash of culture and modern lifestyle.

This is a Turkish film with the Turkish cast and crew, but financially co-supported by France. So it was nominated for the 88th American Academy Awards to represent France, after the Turkish filmThe clash of culture and modern lifestyle.

This is a Turkish film with the Turkish cast and crew, but financially co-supported by France. So it was nominated for the 88th American Academy Awards to represent France, after the Turkish film board denied to pick it. The film is set in the rural that tells a story of five young orphaned sisters who were raised by their stereotype grandmother and strict uncle. It depicts how those girls grow up without the parental supervise which is more essential than under others care and challenges they face due to difference between modern lifestyle they want to adopt and old traditions they inherited.

I know everybody comparing it with 'The Virgin Suicides' and so I thought the same because that's what everyone thinks who had watched these two films. There are some similarities between these two titles, but not the same film, that's very clear. Because of the cultural difference they slightly drew a different storyline, other than that the core of the story remained same. Written and directed by a woman filmmaker, so the narrative was very good that details the issues surrounding women. Especially about the impact of the lives when people nose into others affair.

It opens when the five sisters were punished by their grandmother after the report came from their neighbour lady for them playing on the beach with the boys. Thereafter their life changes and day by day their happiness declines for the severely imposed rules against them in the house. Later, one after another, they all forced to marry the groom they have chosen for them in a traditional way. But the youngest among them all is the most rebellious, so when her sisters were enforced, she plans to fight back and that's the remaining story that tells what happens with the remaining sisters.

"I don't care about the match, I want to get the hell out."

They say Turkey is more a Europe than the middle-east, except being an Islam nation. But this film briefs the domestic abuse in the name of culture and religion on the young generation. The truth is, there is an upcoming culture of the future among the youngsters of the human earthlings in the line of one planet, one culture. That is nothing, but getting themselves free from the thousands of years old rules. Obviously, in this advanced science and digital world, they're completely outdated, especially islam is struggling to cooperate with the future world. From that perspective, this film narrated a wonderful, an eye opening tale.

I have heard the Turkish origins who had watched the film arguing about what it depicted is not true. I know that they know better than me on this, but what I want to tell is that any nation and its people go through this kind of cultural struggle/revolution. Especially in the remote places who are cut off from the modern lifestyle in their daily routine, and when the chief of the house is an elder person who is very conservative. Whatever the advanced country is Turkey among other islam countries, there's still the gender equality issue's persist due to the religion. Of course not the whole nation, but among the orthodox families. That's the same fate of other nations and its religion as well that has to change.

I have seen many Turkish films and this was very different from those, especially it digs on the positive and negative impacts of the old cultural practice which questions is it really necessary to carry on in this modern world? I am not a religious person, and I have no problem with the people of faith, but my take on this might really irk them. The elders should give chance to choose what their youngsters want, of course with supervised, instead forcing them to do everything in the old way what they and their parents did decades and centuries ago.

Yep, the film deserved it's Oscars nominee, but it did not win the prestigious award and that's okay because a better film bagged it. This director is going to have a great future in the filmdom, like the next Sofia Coppola. I hope her next work would be an international project. In the meantime, if you haven't seen it, give it a try, it is a good film that briefs in the line between the past and the future, there is present that ever exist where everything happens like the pains of the past, the present revolution and the future plan.

7/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

everettJan 15, 2016

I was more moved by this film than anything I've seen this year, American or foreign - moved to laughter as well as tears. The beauty of the setting in captured in earthy detail, and the cultural restraints on this group of sisters - allI was more moved by this film than anything I've seen this year, American or foreign - moved to laughter as well as tears. The beauty of the setting in captured in earthy detail, and the cultural restraints on this group of sisters - all fiercely loyal to one another - are depicted with astonishing force. But it's the sisters' spirit that astonishes most, especially Lale, the youngest. A lot happens in this brisk, well-edited film, some of it so powerful that I won't forget certain scenes. So well done!

I learned later that the director is a woman; I wish American women were allowed to make movies like this. There have been comparisons to "Virgin Suicides," also directed by a woman, which I've seen, and I also read the book it was based on. Both were quite good, but - to me, anyway - somewhat hampered by the male POV. This film - narrated by Lale - is truly about the girls - not how boys saw them, but how they saw themselves, and each other. Distinctive, enlightening. Highly recommend.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

EpicLadySpongeMar 10, 2016

Mustang is lovable and decent as ever. Not only that, but Mustang can keep in all the love and excitement waiting for you 24/7 even when you're not seeing the movie and planning to again.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

Cameron_AshMay 8, 2016

Beautify filmed, good acting, stunning exploration of sisterhood. However it's also a bit orientalist, paying respects to the way we see Muslim East, not challenging our view of things. Also felt was a bit of verging-suicides-que.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

nutterjrDec 29, 2016

Like the digits of a hand, these sisters are one. Their love and bond for one another is pure and complete brought closer together by the tragic loss of their parents and the harsh new realities of a life under the rule of the patriarchalLike the digits of a hand, these sisters are one. Their love and bond for one another is pure and complete brought closer together by the tragic loss of their parents and the harsh new realities of a life under the rule of the patriarchal and traditionalist uncle who sets out to arrange marriages for all of them as he fears the local society's judgement on their supposed transgressions which are amplified in his censorious mind. An emotively charged story unfolds in a film with truly mesmerising acting by all girls alike under the direction of what one would expect to be a master filmmaker yet only her first full feature film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

BroyaxSep 22, 2018

Un beau film féministe qui s'indigne et dénonce à tour de bras, sans doute parfois avec lourdeur et une certaine exagération des situations (et du pathos qui en découle) mais on ne peut qu'adhérer à ce message d'indignation véhiculé tout auUn beau film féministe qui s'indigne et dénonce à tour de bras, sans doute parfois avec lourdeur et une certaine exagération des situations (et du pathos qui en découle) mais on ne peut qu'adhérer à ce message d'indignation véhiculé tout au long du film sur la triste condition des femmes dans la Turquie actuelle.

A fortiori quand elle concerne de près 5 soeurs, 5 adolescentes embrigadées dans les méandres de l'obscurantisme musulman et de ses mariages arrangés et forcés. Dans ce village reculé du pays, on se comporte en effet comme des siècles auparavant et on élève les filles comme de futures épouses dociles et soumises, des boniches championnes de la cuisine et de la lessive.

Ainsi la joie de vivre naturelle des 5 soeurs se retrouve étouffée dans les affres des traditions islamiques qui considèrent les femmes comme du bétail, tout juste bonnes à la fermer et à servir comme poules pondeuses. A cet égard, l'obsession de la virginité (avec certificats à l'appui) n'est que l'un des nombreux symptômes d'une société totalement arriérée... et la belle-famille qui veut voir le drap taché (sic !) lors de la nuit de noces (sic !) en est un autre. Comme les barreaux aux fenêtres...

Dans ce drame révoltant, la fuite est alors la seule option -en dehors de la soumission- la fuite d'une façon ou d'une autre... Nos petites pouliches sont donc comme les Mustang, cette race de chevaux fiers et rebelles qui ne se laissent pas dresser sans combattre. Un film qui stupéfie autant qu'il indigne !… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

FilmJunkie2020Apr 7, 2017

Both flawed and flawless, Mustang is a great film that unfortunately seems to run out before it fully embraces its potential. Regardless, it's a must-watch for any film enthusiast.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

kino_avantgardeDec 8, 2022

Often we complain about the weird questions that are asked to Turks, yet we are likely to hear those as long as Turks make their voices heard with such unqualified films.

Mustang: A French Oscar-nominated film by a Turkish director, whichOften we complain about the weird questions that are asked to Turks, yet we are likely to hear those as long as Turks make their voices heard with such unqualified films.

Mustang: A French Oscar-nominated film by a Turkish director, which deals with a Turkish theme with Turkish actors in Turkish language.

I don't mean that the main failure of the movie is that it denigrates Turkey, because we all know very well how thinngs may go in Turkey. Yet, these may-go-wrong elements are expressed in a very makeshift way, with a mediocre script, using an unpromising cinematic technique. And my objection is that Turkey suddenly become popular with such an unqualified movie, while we have many more valuable ones to become famous with in the world which do not necessarily have such a depicted social message concern in its center.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews