I'm learning Turkish so decided to watch this to help in that regard. It's tough learning a new language, but this is one way to do it.
Obviously, I understood the English dialogue and characters, and even understood the American girl when she spoke Turkish. It seems like a funny movie - cute, doesn't take itself seriously.
Just note that the Americans in the movie are portrayed as utter morons from the first shot to the last. In the very first scene with our bumbling idiots, the father (Steve Guttenberg) starts complaining his "navigator" (GPS) isn't working, his compass is out of focus (surely every American carries one of these when they travel abroad) he forgot his cellphone charger and that they are travelling with "a very weird priest" in a hearse in a god-forsaken country.
Sounds like every American I know. Professional complainers about 1st world problems while traveling abroad. That's sarcasm, in case you weren't certain.
First line out of the American woman's mouth - "Where can I get a diet Coke?"
Not one of the American circus save for the daughter speaks any Turkish, nor has bothered to learn even basic phrases. Merhaba, selam, iyi geceler - could go a long way with your Turkish friends should you visit but have no intent in learning their language.
I understand the need for exaggeration, but painting the foreigners as this willfully oblivious to their surroundings and the customs of Turkey is very much on the nose and silly. It almost feels like they are surprised to be in Turkey in the first place. And it doesn't stop there.
At one point, we are shown the unfortunate events of September 11th on a TV while they are visiting their new Turkish family. Guttenberg's character sees Osama bin Laden on the television, looks at the dede (grandfather) of his host family, looks back to bin Laden, back to dede... GASP, they look alike! WE ARE BEING KIDNAPPED!
Who wouldn't come to this conclusion?
This is like Hollywood or some mainstream news sources treating typecasting all Muslims as terrorists, but I digress.
In any case, I didn't take offense to this portrayal, I found it funny at points. it's a cute movie so far and I don't want to judge it solely upon how Americans are portrayed. It's a comedy, anyhow and probably has a lot of hidden gems.
Plus, I didn't understand much of the Turkish. I'll re-watch it in a year or two after I've acquired more of the language then adjust my star review accordingly.
