Oh Belinda (Aaahh Belinda) is a brand new Turkish comedy-drama that premiered on April 7, 2023 on Netflix. Directed by Deniz Yorulmazer and written by Hakan Bonomo, the movie follows a successful, modern actress who magically gets transported into the life of a character that she plays in a shampoo commercial. The movie is a modern remake of the 1986 classic of the same name.
Neslihan Atagül plays the lead character, and the supporting cast includes Serkan Çayoglu, Necip Memili, Meral Çetinkaya, Efe Tunçer, Gamze Karaduman, Sacide Taşaner and more. The approximate runtime of the film is 97 minutes.
-Oh Belinda Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
Starting on a strong note, the movie quickly manages to capture my attention. The story, however, is not unusual or unique for that matter, and since it is a remake, some predictability could be foreseen. Nevertheless, it offers a strong script and manages to set the tone seamlessly. Right off the bat, we are introduced to the lead character, Dilara, who has a fierce presence. She is unapologetically herself and extremely passionate about her craft. Her job holds the utmost priority in her life, even more than relationships.
Later, she receives an offer to appear in a commercial for a shampoo brand named Belinda. She is asked to play the character of a dormant wife, which does not sit right with her. Without many contexts, her hate for the brand is showcased, but no proper explanation is provided as to why. And as expected, magic happens, and she is suddenly transported into the character’s world, where she has a hard time dealing with the sudden change.
The first half is filled with witty scenes and hilarious instances. The transition from the carefree life of Dilara to her being a housewife is shown aptly. A staggering difference between both worlds can be noticed immediately. The creators were successfully able to achieve the distinction and set a contrast providing a view of the two sides.
However, even though the story has a great start, it starts to lose its way slowly. The plot comes to a standstill during the second half, and no development can be seen. A lot of things were happening, but it had no clear objective. The story build-up is done seamlessly, but the revelations feel flat. The twists and turns were rather predictable and became less enjoyable. Scenes that should hold a lot of impact were executed poorly. The end of the movie also remains unimpressive as not a clear conclusion is given to the story.
Neslihan Atagül does an impeccable job with the character. She is able to portray the role of a strong, stubborn and formidable woman impressively. Her acting is so convincing that it can easily draw in the audience and keep them hooked throughout. Be it a dramatic scene or a comedic one, she can do it all. It is safe to say that the movie’s storytelling process elevated with her presence.
The costumes were another aspect of the movie that did not go unnoticed. The characters were dressed in vibrant colours, which were not only pleasing to the eyes but also important to the storyline.
Oh Belinda Review: Final Thoughts
The story is far from original, yet it has an interesting premise. From hilarious comedic bits to some heartfelt emotional elements, the script has it all. Even though the end is disappointing, the witty first half is worth the watch. Neslihan Atagül is not just beautiful in the movie but also the major highlight that stands out the most. Her presence alone makes up for all the bad writing!
Oh Belinda is now streaming on Netflix. Did you watch the movie yet? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
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