When We Leave (2011)
When We Leave Photos
Movie Info
Cast
as Umay
as Kader (Umay's Father)
as Halime (Umay's Mother)
as Stipe (Umay's Colleague)
as Mehmet (Umay's Older Brother)
as Acar (Umay's Younger Brother)
as Rana (Umay's Younger Sister)
as Atife (Umay's Best Friend)
as Gül (Umay's Boss)
as Cem (Umay's Son)
as Kemal (Umay's Husband)
as Duran (Rana's fiancé)
News & Interviews for When We Leave
Critic Reviews for When We Leave
All Critics (31) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (8)
"When We Leave" has a predetermined arc that almost chokes its life, but for frustrated witnesses to this passion play, Kekilli offers redemption.
A powerhouse melodrama that feels didactic and manipulative even as it rips your heart out.
The whole sad enterprise is watchable because of Kekilli.
Unfortunately, Aladag was not as nuanced in her approach as her star.
There are some intense, moving sequences, but too much emotional badgering and a general shortage of finesse.
Aside from its conclusion, "When We Leave'' is credible and well-observed.
Audience Reviews for When We Leave
In "When We Leave," Umay(Sibel Kekilli) suffers another beating from her husband Kemal(Ufuk Bayraktar) after she was caught lying about where she spent the day. In fact, she had gotten an abortion, the first step in leaving her husband, with their son Cem(Nizam Schiller), to return to her native Germany, away from Turkey where she always felt isolated and alone. At home, her younger sister Rana(Almila Bagriacik) is getting ready for her wedding while their parents(Derya Alabora & Settar Tanriogen) are curious how long she will be staying. Yeah, about that...Umay's plan is to stay permanently, planning on working and studying, and burning her passport to make her point. In which case, a plan is made to return Cem to his father... "When We Leave" is for the most part a compelling drama on the difficult subject of honor killing, exploring it with much needed complexity, especially the hypocrisies involved. For a lot of the movie, this is accomplished through very good performances and subtlety. But the movie self-destructs with a horrible ending(maybe not for the reasons you are thinking) and a scene where the movie grandstands to horrifying effect. As an unintended side effect, Umay, who for the most part comes off as sympathetic, starts to seem a little self-centered, not realizing that her actions have repercussions for others, especially her family.
Super Reviewer
When We Leave Quotes
| Umay: | I'm staying here. Find work, go to school. |
| Halime (Umay's Mother): | You cannot separate your son from his father. |