Brian Walker I found this ponderous in the extreme, though my main source of irritation is that it is extremely ugly despite being carefully composed. The harsh digital tint that signals digital is becoming monotonous, and used only because of its cheapness rather than suitability. For a claustrophobic drama like Three Monkeys it's a disaster. Ceylan has a fondness for facial close-ups but here it looks the cast have a severe case of jaundice.The only film I can recall that has used this well and taken advantage what it can offer is Valhalla Rising, where it complimented the barren landscape perfectly.

by_all Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Three Monkeys takes you to Istanbul suburbs to tell you a story about the common vices of humanity: deception and self-deception. Have you ever altered the truth to be able to maintain your order? Simply, played three monkeys? Ignored the fact? Composed of three members, the underprivileged family in this film has no one else in their lives to depend on: the father Eyüp (Yavuz Bingöl), driver of a politician, reserved; the mother Hacer (Hatice Aslan), housewife living as if she can break into pieces anytime; and the son İsmail (Rıfat Sungar), not being able to pass the common university entry exam, fooling around being juvenile and far from being a hope for the family. Yet their established balance is lost when the politician hits a pedestrian in a quiet street and asks Eyüp to take the blame for him in return of good cash. Eyüp accepts; he will be taking a great amount of money and will only serve less than a year in the prison, and when he gets out, he will continue working as his driver again. With the closure of eyes to the first lie, others follow. The son "sees" things that he would not tell, the mom does things she would not talk about. There are also bigger things that are not talked about, ghosts of the past. After everything is done, how could they stay together?Considering Tarkovsky has a great deal of influence on Ceylan, this film is indeed not for blockbuster audiences. It has no non-diegetic music, no long dialogues and no fast camera movements. The movie requires the viewer's full attention and participation for revealing itself. But once you are in, it takes you to a great journey and tells you all about the human, incapable or afraid of change. Real change. Not deceptions. You can image that these types of films works on various levels, that's what makes them great. So, let's cut short, for not influencing your thoughts when provoked by the story. Besides from the story and the acting, do I need to mention the film's visuals, or cinematography? Which brought Ceylan the Best Director Award in 2008 Cannes Film Festival?

Mike B There are long longeurs of people brooding that go on forever. Many scenes seem to play-out in slow-motion depression. The plot is basic enough - a politician swindles his driver to take the fall for a fatal accident. The driver goes to jail – the drivers' wife falls for the politician, the son of the driver finds out about his mother and when the driver is released from jail he suspects that not all is kosher. The family dissolves into a full blown depression and they speak in monosyllables to each other. There is even some science fiction when a long dead son starts miraculously appearing. I didn't quite get this part but it was pretty eerie!Really it's not that there is no empathy – but everything is so dreary that it just weighs you down. One wonders if there is any point to it all – I didn't see any. It's like an old Ingmar Bergman that has been transported to Turkey.

FilmCriticLalitRao Nuri Bilge Ceylan is a fortunate filmmaker from Turkey as his films have received both critical as well commercial success in west.There are some western film critics who have not hesitated in naming him as Michelangelo Antonioni of Turkey.All such praise would definitely work in favor of any young film director but it is not known whether Nuri Bilge Ceylan enjoys same widespread popularity at home.It is not yet known whether his festival films have a huge fan following in his motherland,Turkey.Those who have seen his films know well that success of his films depend a lot on their specific picture post card locations and sublime photography.It is noted by audiences that as these two factors play a big role,narration assumes a secondary role for him.This is also the case with his latest film "Three Monkeys/Uc Maymun" which is based on an ordinary tale of guilt,redemption and revenge.As there is hardly any hint of suspense in a film where cowardice of its fragile protagonists is revealed,it is easy for viewers to make out what direction would be taken by the film.The only redeeming feature of "Three Monkeys" is the fact that it is much better than Nuri Bilge Ceylan's previous film "Iklimer/The Seasons".