Iffet was a difficult yet riveting watch. The level of physical abuse, misogyny, and oppression was a study of love and family in a traditional patriarchal society.
Deniz Cakir was outstanding as the main character: Iffet was a convincing character besieged by a life of misfortune. I was annoyed that the writers did not allow much personal growth and display of strength, but rather had her remain attached to her constant state of sadness, her unnecessary self-sabotage and weakness (painted as goodness). It grew tedious to watch. Her wide innocence and gentle falsetto tones at the start was endearing.
To be honext, I watched this series just for Ibrahim Celikkol. And as always, he was amazing as the Main Love Interest: Cemil is the perfect handsome abusive anti-hero. Many convincing and painful scenes to watch which included a surprising depiction of rape...Very surprising particularly for a Turkish Drama which tends to be more conservative (By north American Standards). Ibrahim was a total star in his role portrayal. The writers however allowed several redemption arcs which endeared him despite his horrible temper and many faults. I am not sure a female writer would have given the character so many redemptive opportunities, and I found that I grew annoyed with myself when he won my sympathy!! Thats a tribute to excellect writing, acting and directing!!.
Other fantastic actors were Memet Cevik as Ifett's Father. Her was excellent in the role,,,although the bulging wide eyed look was overused.
Mahir Gunsiray as Ali Ihsan perfected the Psychopathic role. This for me was the most surprising development.
Zuhal Olcay as Dilek, Melike Guner as Betul and Birsen Durulu were excellent antagonists. Again, I wished the writers gave Dilek an arc opportunity, or at least let us understand her pathology
Overall, the series would have scored 9/10 if they didn't rely so heavily on the retrospective scenes, We don't need to see the memory collages so frequently, they were unnecessary time fillers.
I hated 3 things about the script - The return to poverty made no sense given the opportunities and mentorship. I would have liked to see a more successful outcome. The second disappointment was the ridicuolous parenting relationship with Mehmet,,,when they live in front of each other. And of course the biggest disappointment is the end...but then Turkish writers are committed to annoying their audiences with the most unhappy endings they can think of.
Deniz Cakir was outstanding as the main character: Iffet was a convincing character besieged by a life of misfortune. I was annoyed that the writers did not allow much personal growth and display of strength, but rather had her remain attached to her constant state of sadness, her unnecessary self-sabotage and weakness (painted as goodness). It grew tedious to watch. Her wide innocence and gentle falsetto tones at the start was endearing.
To be honext, I watched this series just for Ibrahim Celikkol. And as always, he was amazing as the Main Love Interest: Cemil is the perfect handsome abusive anti-hero. Many convincing and painful scenes to watch which included a surprising depiction of rape...Very surprising particularly for a Turkish Drama which tends to be more conservative (By north American Standards). Ibrahim was a total star in his role portrayal. The writers however allowed several redemption arcs which endeared him despite his horrible temper and many faults. I am not sure a female writer would have given the character so many redemptive opportunities, and I found that I grew annoyed with myself when he won my sympathy!! Thats a tribute to excellect writing, acting and directing!!.
Other fantastic actors were Memet Cevik as Ifett's Father. Her was excellent in the role,,,although the bulging wide eyed look was overused.
Mahir Gunsiray as Ali Ihsan perfected the Psychopathic role. This for me was the most surprising development.
Zuhal Olcay as Dilek, Melike Guner as Betul and Birsen Durulu were excellent antagonists. Again, I wished the writers gave Dilek an arc opportunity, or at least let us understand her pathology
Overall, the series would have scored 9/10 if they didn't rely so heavily on the retrospective scenes, We don't need to see the memory collages so frequently, they were unnecessary time fillers.
I hated 3 things about the script - The return to poverty made no sense given the opportunities and mentorship. I would have liked to see a more successful outcome. The second disappointment was the ridicuolous parenting relationship with Mehmet,,,when they live in front of each other. And of course the biggest disappointment is the end...but then Turkish writers are committed to annoying their audiences with the most unhappy endings they can think of.