Private Lesson
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Private Lesson
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the Turkish film Private Lesson is about a young woman who helps other young women achieve their life goals by posing as their tutor. One person hires her to give her a makeover in order to attract a boy. There's discussion of what men find attractive, breasts and breast implants, and men only wanting sex. Most young men, except for one, are depicted as untrustworthy leeches. A man films women without their consent. A young woman gets drunk on tequila shots to impress a boy. In another scene, she worries a man put a drug in her drink after discovering hidden cameras in his house. Another woman is anxious because she sent a man nude photos of herself and now he's bribing her for money. There's a setup for potential date rape. Two men fight. Couples kiss. Language in the English subtitles includes "f--k," "damn," variations on "ass," "hell," "heck," "idiot," "jerk," "lunatic," "maniac," "boobs," "t-tties," "hag," and "oh my God."
What's the Story?
Azra (Bensu Soral) is a life tutor to female students in PRIVATE LESSON. When awkward Hande (Helin Kandemir) overhears a girl thanking Azra for turning her life around, she begs her to take her on as a client. Hande's goal is to have a full makeover and win the attention of campus cool guy Utku (Rami Narin). This leads Hande into all kinds of trouble that Azra and her handsome new neighbor -- and possible love interest for Azra -- Burak (Halit Özgür Sari) have to get her out of. Ultimately, that trouble becomes dangerous for Hande. Will Azar and Burak be able to save her?
Is It Any Good?
This Turkish comedy is generally good-natured and well-intentioned, but its attempt to blend physical comedy and serious drama doesn't work. It may be that some of the humor just isn't translating well in Private Lesson, but situations meant to be funny feel awkward and heavy-handed. Some sequences put young women in situations that really shouldn't be used as plot devices in a comedy, like a potential date rape, hidden cameras, and a man bribing a woman after she sends him nude photos. Coming late in the film, these scenes change the tone of the movie in a disconcerting way, even though some earlier events played for comedy also had potential to go wrong (like a young woman drinking to excess). Meanwhile, the main romantic storyline is overly predictable and reliant on lead actor Soral's beauty rather than a genuine connection between characters.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Azra is actually coming to the assistance of young people or if she's potentially not teaching them the right lessons in Private Lesson.
One of the characters has sent a man she didn't know naked photos of herself. What happens to her? What are the possible consequences of sharing photos of yourself (or others) online?
Hande downs multiple tequila shots to get the attention of a boy. What are some of the dangers of drinking to excess or drinking to impress others?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 16, 2022
- Cast: Bensu Soral, Helin Kandemir, Halit Özgür Sarı
- Director: Kivanç Baruönü
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 89 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 19, 2022
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