I would highly recommend Aslan Ailem to anyone with a sense of humor and/or strong family values. The show is so ridiculously funny, yet romantic and at the core depicts the importance of self awareness, being open-minded and appreciating your family. (You'll understand this statement completely once you watch the series to the end.)
Although this series starts off confusing, once the viewer gets to know the personalities of the main characters, after maybe initially judging them, it's hard not to laugh at them, root for them despite their outlandish, sometimes misunderstood, and often over the top behaviors, then eventually fall in love with them, whether one wants to or not.
Originally I watched Aslan Ailem because of Akin Akinozu who has become one of my favorite actors over the last few years, but as with his other roles, the entire cast was phenomenal in portraying exactly who they were supposed to be. Thanks to Akin Akinozu, I have found myself watching more and more Turkish programs and actors and thoroughly enjoying them.
Akin was outstanding in each of the series he has been in that I have seen, and although a completely different persona, his character Murat in Aslan Ailem did not disappoint. I truly cannot understand why one reviewer said that his character in Aslan Ailem was "overdoing it", since Akin Akinozu as Murat plays probably the only "sane" person in the show - definitely no overdoing, just playing his part perfectly.
In Aslan Ailem, Akin actually plays an "ordinary person" (police commissioner) without all the extreme hardships he had to deal with in the other dramas he acted in. Aslan Ailem shows just how well rounded of an actor Akin Akinozu is. He literally can play anything and be so convincing that you forget he is an actor and believe he is actually the person he is portraying.
In every one of his roles, Akin is convincing. He makes you gush, he makes you angry, he makes you ache with pain, he makes you cry, he makes you want to slap him, he makes you want to be a better person or understand the complexities of the villain or root for the victim as he tries to avenge the wrongs done against him or his loved ones. In Aslan Ailem, Akin plays his role of the astute honest policeman and loving brother and son with perfection.
Despite watching Aslan Ailem after Akin Akinozu's later roles in Hercai, Kaderimin Oyunu, and Tuzak where Akin plays strong, independent, determined, heart wrenchingly broken, leading men, I found it nice to see Akin able to play a more subdued role with such conviction where his character Murat has little stress aside from the everyday dealings with his family. Akin even has some surprisingly silly moments in the show which along with the rest of the cast's crazy antics bring uncontrollable laughs to the audience.
Please disregard any of the negative reviews. You will not regret watching Aslan Ailem to the final episode. There are so many cringe worthy yet fun scenes combined with the pure unconventional budding romances, hopefulness, family love and acceptance that make it a must see.
I normally don't like such ridiculous nonsense, but I couldn't help but laugh throughout Aslan Ailem. The comedy is sweet, full of surprises, heartfelt and enjoyable. Each character plays their roles so well, I just wish the series had more episodes to see where the family ends up and their lives after the finale. Would also be nice to have it translated into other languages if possible.
Hope this review helps.
