User Reviews

I just came out of it -- it is quite a brilliant movie. There are very few actors, some glances at the amazing background of Istanbul and Çanakkale and some village that is celebrating a marriage. There are an endless number of jokes that will make you laugh, but the film takes its quality from a hidden, dark drama that unfolds slowly but inevitably. Apart from the story, I think it has a quiet message that resonates after the film.

Iskender makes a living by being a wizard (sihirbaz) -- or an impostor (hokkabaz), if you ask his father, Sait. His friend for life Maradona, has eyes as bad as his, and both decide to make a tour in order to afford a laser operation that will finally free them of their glasses. They borrow the caravan of his brother-in-law, under the condition they relieve them of Sait, a veteran, by driving him to the memorial to the battle of Galipolli.

There is a sense of melancholy, and the accordion music when the wizardry happens on stage are only the tip of the iceberg. With very original storytelling, Cem Yilmaz highlights the drama of 'normal people' that try to deal with difficult situations in their life, family members, lack of money, lack of recognition, lack of sight and a certain form of loneliness.

first of all ask yourself what are your expectations about this film. because, people who wait a comedy will be disappointed. this is not a comedy but it has a particular humor. when i compare Hokkabaz to Gora which was Yilmaz's recent script i can see the big difference between scripts. this difference is about being tactful(for Hokkabaz's script). anyway actors are also successful and convincing, especially Mazhar Alanson. this film is Yilmaz's first experience on the director seat so you can't say it is a masterpiece but it is watch worthy and sophisticated drama i think.

7/10

At first glance, Hokkabaz is not a comedy movie. We are guided wrong by media and by advertisement. There are tragedy and dram in the body of Hokkabaz. If you expect to see comedy, you will probably get disappointment, because the movie is not comedy. If we separate laughing problem, Hokkabaz is a successful movie from strong story to talented players.

Cem Yilmaz was quite talented in his role as Iskender - as loser magician. Mazhar Alanson was like from one of us, his play was warm. Ozlem Tekin should progress herself a bit more in playing, but she is really beautiful. Tuna Orhan as Maradona, my favorite football player, number ten, I will remember you with electronic organ.

I would be much more happy, if we see more preview from Canakkale – Dardanelle, Sehidlik. I know story did not permit this request, just see it as a wish.

This movie is perfectly told and acted with a sense of humor.One of the best Turkish movies in the last 10 years.Better than other C.Yilmaz movies.Screenplay,actors,photography,jokes everything is perfect.You are laughing all the time,its easy to follow,you don't understand how the time goes by.It couldn't be better...

But there is something I don't understand.The audience in Turkey didn't like the movie much.It is even underrated in IMDb.I thought people who know something about movies are voting here but I see they don't.Thats because they are just watching comedy and horror movies which you cant learn much about movies.I am sorry I respect other opinions but this movie is too good.I think they will understand what I mean if they watch some hundred movies...

In Turkey everybody knows Cem YILMAZ as a comedian. Yes he is one of the best.

But Cem YILMAZ has proved something us. We understood that his comedian side was only the part seen over the iceberg. Fim by film we see how big he is.

The film is about a ingenuous magician and his assistant's Turkey Tour with a trailer in which his father lives.

Every scene of the movie touches to the emotions. Sometimes you laugh, some time you cry. Maybe the hardest thing in a film is "mixing those emotions in two hours".

What can I say I did not have those feelings since Forrest Gump.

Find it.Watch it.

This movie is underrated in Turkey because the expectation of most people is to watch a comedy of Cem's way ....... and they get disappointed.A real figure with plans, problems like all common people. Speaks, laughs, acts in a normal way. Not a super hero.A loser. This picture can be considered as a perfect work when compared with former works of Yilmaz. His partner are well selected. especially Mazhar Alanson proofs his wonderful talent as an actor. He is very well known as singer and becomes a great actor as old as he gets. But as far as I see Cem has reached the limit of his talent as an actor. In any way staying at such a level will be a great presence in Turkish Movie world. Congratulations Cem.

the movie is actually very similar to Cem Yılmaz's first one, Herşey Çok Güzel Olacak. The theme under his movie is a kind hearted man who loves a girl blindly. It tells the story that you can see all over Türkiye. the good people do anyone a kindness who needs without demanding any consideration. However as a compensation, they only receive sorrow and suffering. This movie is very kind of which you can watch it with your family and enjoy your time. sometimes you will laugh, sometimes think and sometimes you will have tear drops on your cheeks. the fictional items are not underestimated at the movie and gives great pleasure to the viewer.

There is an undeniable resemblance between this story and Cem Yilmaz's first movie Hersey Çok Güzel Olacak. I think Cem Yilmaz should have chosen a completely different story to avoid any competition between the two movies, in which this one will be the obvious loser.

For a genius comedian such as Cem Yilmaz, the story is unexpectedly weak. For most of the scenes the movie seems to rely on the performances of the actors, and it is really a good thing to have a bunch of well qualified actors in the movie. The script has some very beautiful peak points, and i don't know how Cem Yilmaz missed the opportunity to use them to the last draining point.

The movie makes you laugh, if this is what you are looking for in a Cem Yilmaz movie. And it helps you having a fun time, but when the movie ends, you feel like there is something missing in it, and if you think about it, you will see that it is the script as a whole is missing.

I went to theater to laugh, since Cem Yilmaz is one of the best comedians of Turkey but this is more a drama. the screenplay is quite impressive. and players are doing their bests. especially Mazhar Alanson and Ozlem Tekin is going great job although they are not professionals(both of them are musicians)

Directing is very good though its the first directing trial of Cem Yilmaz. He got a lot of help from the second director of the movie who is a much more experienced director: Ali Taner Baltaci. Ali Taner Baltaci directed movies Vizontele and Vizontele Tuuba perfectly before. Cem yılmaz was starring in Vizontele.

I could say 7 up to 10. worth to see.

If there is Cem Yilmaz, I'm in.

One of Cem Yilmaz's best films.

Obviously Cem Yilmaz is very good, even the best actor for his roles. But again we understand with this film, his other capabilities at the other side of the camera are not such bright.

The movie has enough humor, comedy and dramatic elements to watch and spend some joyful time. However it is not the masterpiece expected from him and I don't expect such a masterpiece from Cem Yılmaz as script writer or director, but as a player. I felt in his all movies, if he take place only as actor, he is enormous successful, but if he has other tasks with the film, like director, producer etc., he lost his concentration. When I was watching the film, I felt that while playing his role, his mind is at the other side of the camera. It is pity that such acting skill is disturbed by other matters.

I also would like to remind that Mazhar Alanson is originally theater actor (not musician) and it is not surprise for me to see his successful performance. But I admit that his musical achievements are much ahead of his real profession. I should also point out the character he was playing was so likable for me.

I watched the film in cinema about 3 days ago. It was amazing, i and my friend liked it so much. Because Cem Yilmaz had made a much more different film than everyone expected. There wasn't only comedy, drama was the main genre of the film.

I think everyone must see this film, especially in Turkey.

It was about a conjurer's life. Cast is very good chosen, especially Ozlem Tekin fits her character so much. This movie is her second film, after "O simdi asker". I want to watch her in other films, although she made an explanation about this, that she will act in movies. So this is a happy news for her fans.

Classic Cem Yilmaz movie... You can easily laugh just watching him. While the film seems a comedy, you can easily find while you are crying at the end of the film. But don't panic, your crying doesn't continue and you will be laughing again. If you have time, go to this film. Nowadays there are lots of argument about HOKKABAZ. But don't listen them and watch the film. Also Mazhar Alanson made a great job.He plays Cem Yilmaz father.

After GORA, it seems everything is okay with that guy.Cem Yılmaz is the most successful Turkish face if you want to laugh.

Nice job!!!

Cem Yilmaz is maybe the best comedian of Turkey of our time. He is a natural talent of observation the funny sides of events and people and he is able to grasp the very essence of the stories. However his efforts to make a good movie is shadowed by his ego to do everything by himself. He is a good comic script writer and good actor but he is not movie director or a screenplay writer. When someone does not obey the very basic rules of movie making: the pace, dialogs, credibility whoever talents play in the movie, you feel something essential is missing. The pace of a good movie requires an integrity of introduction, development of a story and a good finish. This movie reaches its climax in the village show when the old lady dies and the rest becomes a boring story which took the two thirds of the movie. Please don't write a dialog when it is not necessary. Telling story by pictures only is sometimes more effective. Short black and white introduction in the start was maybe the best part of the movie. Cem Yilmaz; please get some help next time you make a movie.

I don't recommend anyone to watch this movie. Its dialogs are artificial and before to watch this movie I heard that it is not good one but I said I don't care Cem Yilmaz is enough reason but believe me in this case he is not . Also I want to add one more thing to my comment, In Turkey as I see there are two types of movies, one side is produced in very difficult conditions and with lack of budgets but they are masterpieces(z.B. Uzak, Masumiyet, Karpuz Kabugundan Gemiler Yapmak and Gemide...) but on the other hand there are movies like Hokkabaz, Vizontele, Kurtlar Vadisi...

Soner