Stunning Film

Turkish cinema for me is rivaled in this century only by Danish in its enduring and endearing attention to simple human emotion, artistic beauty, and mystery. "Watchtower" might have benefited from more clarity regarding Nihat's and Seher's predicaments, much earlier than their situations become clear; but this film is mesmerizing, start to finish.

When an American viewer is watching foreign films in lovely settings ("Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" comes to mind, although its setting doesn't come close to "Watchtower's"), the influence of what's disparagingly referred to as "travel porn" has to be taken into account. Compare "Watchtower" to "Head On," possibly the best film from Turkey in the last decade. "Head On" manages to be beautiful despite its ugly urban setting. "Watchtower" isn't in the same league as "Head On," but it shares a fascinating look at the loneliness of outcasts.

"Watchtower" isn't brilliant, but it is stunning and moving.