Have been an avid film buff over 60 years. Had seen and enjoyed many of Paul's works, ranking Total Recall among all-time favorite SciFi. So I was cautiously optimistic about T/D. Wow. I actually could not watch more than 10 to 15 minutes without stopping and continuing later; forcing myself through the film. I can handle obnoxious, obscene, gross, and even idiotic. But it's really helpful to have a Purpose behind it all. Or at least something redeeming that I can look to, in order to make the viewing more watchable. It's tough when off the bat I had no care at all for the lead.... Rutger, who I have loved in so many pictures. And it is not my 'American sensibility' that causes me to miss the point of this Dutch mess. I've seen 100s of European films; if this is, according to one source, the 'Best Film ever made in Netherlands', then I give up on watching any others! It is, as also described: earthy, naturalistic, erotic, and even occasionally humorous. But it's also overtly unpleasant, needlessly callous, and it's seemingly ONE point of poignancy is over-wrought and takes Far too long to reach. Ugh; unless one wishes to say they've seen EVERY Verhoeven title, I'd advise taking a pass.
Review of Turkish Delight
