MovieChat Forums > Muhtesem Yüzyil (2011) Discussion > One thing is totally bewildering me abou...

One thing is totally bewildering me about " Hurrem"

posted 8 years ago by nerowolfgal
7 replies | jump to latest

The historical Hurrem Sultan gained her name by her cheerful, playful, intelligent character. However the actress playing her is portraying her as nasty, sullen, pouting, and given to threats and screaming tantrums.

There are many scenes where Hurrem could have gained support or allies with a little display of kindness or courtesy, but instead she is shown making accusations and shrieking threats against everyone close to her. She is always accusing people of plotting against her, and then being astounded that people don't like her. Everyone is an enemy it seems in her mind, even those who have helped her and stood by her.

Even her one and only friend Marie is instantly attacked for becoming Muslim without even one question as to why she chose that path. Hurrem merely begins shouting "Who put you up to this!!"

And why, why, why is she shown constantly pouting "Don't leave me! Stay with me" to Suleiman . The man was running an empire of fifty million people and planning major wars. A sweet "You will be in my heart until my eyes can see you again" or whatever, would have send him off with a pleasant feeling and shown the maturity needed in a Sultan.

Be who you are. Everyone else is already taken.

[–] Top_Shelf 8 years ago

She (most of the time) gets on my nerves too.

BTW, I've only watched up to the episode where Mahidevran's (sp?) maid mistakenly stabbed Maria/Gu(?sp?).

But I think Hürrem's paranoia/accusations/tantrums are founded. The mother, the wife and the hand (Ibrahim) all hate her.

Personally, I can't imagine what it would be like to be living happily and peacefully then suddenly raided, watch your whole family get slaughtered, get sold into slavery, shipped off to another land (unknown language, culture and all kinds of rules), and have your life threatened constantly for something as little as looking another in the eye.

She's been thrown into the dungeon, beaten to near death, poisoned and exiled. Plus three others in the harem have been murdered.

She's hanging onto her dignity by refusing to accept she's one of 50 concubines and not in an Orthodox monogamous relationship. Her father was a priest, right?

I don't believe she converted to Islam sincerely. She first did it to gain favor. It's also a matter of survival. I also don't believe she fell in love on purpose either. I think her intent was to become queen and influence rule. But she has to tiptoe through landmines and she lacks emotional intelligence.

I agree she could have handled matters better. She definitely has the wit. Yet her temperament and loud mouth can be blamed on trauma, culture shock, and immaturity. Still, for whatever reason, I'm always on her side.

[–] nerowolfgal 8 years ago

Well.....according to a fast check on Wiki, she was probably fifteen when she entered the harem, so your point about emotional maturity is a good one.

I have just watched to the episode just after the birth of her first son and her friend being sent off to warm the Sultan's bed. (So, there she is perhaps sixteen?)

Speaking of emotional maturity, Suleiman's first wife is a neurotic, delusional mess. She was not taken in slavery, but born into the culture. She would have been raised to accept the idea of concubines. She may not like that her husband took a new favorite, but to go borderline mad about it?

Be who you are. Everyone else is already taken.

[–] Top_Shelf 8 years ago

"Borderline mad?" The _itch (first letter of your choice) is off her rocker.

I'm way ahead of you in the series so I won't write more. Actually, I just logged in again to gripe.

NETFLIX IS ONLY STREAMING 48 EPISODES!!!  And I just finished #48. Daaaaammmmn them! lol If I'd known, I wouldn't have allowed myself to become hooked on the series. I think I'll complain to them. Maybe ask for a refund. lol

[–] denis-38 7 years ago

Agree. I am enjoying the series--which I just discovered on Netflix. But Hurrem/Alexandra is a total mystery.

Not only are her actions inexplicable, the actress playing her is just awful. Clumsy and unconvincing. At least they could have cast a great beauty, so we'd have some concept of why Suleiman is so enraptured. This girl is pretty in a slightly dowdy Drew Barrymore kind of way. In almost every harem scene there are at least three other girls who are far superior physically. And none of them behave like a mentally handicapped person suffering the last stages of dementia or a brain tumor.

I realize the hero or heroine of every tale does not necessarily have to be likeable, but if a character is indeed so, at least make sure the actor is good enough to convey some subtleties of behavior, some conflict, so that we can root for them, at least partially, along the way.

And my feeling is, we are supposed to sympathize with her!

[–] Top_Shelf 7 years ago

She's exotic.

All the others are physically beautiful indeed but their features are common: Raven, slender, petite, dullards - exemplified by Suleiman's sister, Hattice.

Hürrem is tall, buxom, witty, and has a fiery personality that matches her ginger hair and bright blue eyes.

Besides, who doesn't love Drew Barrymore? As you continue to watch, write back when Hürrem starts to grow on you.

Some have such a low esteem they create reasons to hate everyone else.

[–] denis-38 7 years ago

I'll say to each his own on her attractiveness, but "witty?" When does she develop this wit?

I'll watch and wait for it in between her childish tantrums, shrieking, fainting, etc.

[–] Top_Shelf 7 years ago

lol

She is a pain.

Some have such a low esteem they create reasons to hate everyone else.