Name: Private Lesson
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: 2022-12-16T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Bensu Soral, Halit Özgür Sarı, Helin Kandemir, Rami Narin, Hatice Aslan

The opening scene of Private Lesson (2022) sets the tone with Azra (Bensu Soral), a life coach disguised as a private tutor, delivering an earnest pep talk to her first student. It’s a moment that should feel charmingly subversive, but director Kıvanç Baruönü’s latest comedy-romance stumbles out of the gate, never quite finding its footing. The film’s premise—Azra posing as a tutor while secretly coaching students on life and love—promises a blend of wit and heart, but Private Lesson too often settles for tired tropes and forgettable gags.

What it is: Directed by Kıvanç Baruönü, Private Lesson stars Bensu Soral as Azra, Halit Özgür Sarı as Burak, Helin Kandemir as Hande, Rami Narin as Utku, Hatice Aslan as Ülker, Murat Karasu as Ismail, Hülya Gülşen Irmak as Semra, and Elif Ceren Balıkçı as Duygu. The film is a Turkish comedy-romance that aims to blend the charm of a rom-com with the misadventures of a life coach navigating her dual identity. However, what could have been a fresh take on the genre instead feels like a retread of familiar ground.

What works: Bensu Soral delivers a performance that carries much of the film’s emotional weight. Her chemistry with Halit Özgür Sarı is one of the few bright spots, offering moments of genuine connection amidst the chaos. Soral’s ability to balance humor and heart makes her a standout in an otherwise lackluster cast. The supporting performances, particularly Helin Kandemir as Hande, add layers of humor and depth to the story. Kandemir’s portrayal of the awkward but endearing Hande provides some of the film’s most genuine laughs and emotional beats.

The scenes where Azra’s dual role as tutor and life coach collides with her personal life are the film’s strongest. These moments highlight Soral’s range and Baruönü’s ability to craft engaging, character-driven interactions. The dynamic between Azra and Burak, played by Halit Özgür Sarı, is particularly compelling. Their chemistry feels authentic, and their shared scenes are some of the few that resonate emotionally.

What falters: Unfortunately, the script is a mess of clichés and underdeveloped subplots. The humor often falls flat, relying too heavily on tired rom-com tropes and forgettable gags. The pacing is uneven, with several scenes feeling rushed or unnecessary. Baruönü’s direction lacks the sharpness needed to elevate the material, resulting in a film that feels more like a TV movie than a cinematic experience.

Themes of self-discovery and personal growth are woven throughout the narrative, but they are handled with a heavy hand, making them feel more like afterthoughts than central themes. The film’s attempt to tackle issues such as sexual violence and drinking are also mishandled, feeling more like plot devices than meaningful explorations of these topics. These heavy-handed attempts at social commentary only serve to highlight the film’s lack of nuance.

Comparatively, Private Lesson falls short when stacked against other rom-coms that manage to balance humor and heart with greater ease. Private Lesson feels derivative and lacks the originality needed to stand out in a crowded genre.

The film’s reliance on clichés is particularly evident in its romantic subplots. The will-they-won’t-they tension between Azra and Burak is predictable, and the resolution of their relationship arc feels contrived. The supporting characters, while occasionally humorous, are often one-dimensional, failing to add depth or complexity to the story.

Who it is for: Private Lesson will likely appeal to fans of lighthearted rom-coms who are looking for a straightforward, if somewhat forgettable, viewing experience. However, those seeking a more nuanced or original take on the genre may find themselves disappointed. The film’s reliance on clichés and its lack of comedic bite make it a tough sell for discerning audiences.

The verdict: Private Lesson is a well-intentioned but ultimately forgettable comedy-romance. While Bensu Soral and Halit Özgür Sarı deliver strong performances, the script’s shortcomings and direction’s lack of vision hold it back. The film’s attempt to blend humor and heart falls flat, resulting in a narrative that feels more like a collection of missed opportunities than a cohesive story.

In the end, Private Lesson is a film that fails to rise above its genre’s tropes. While it has moments of charm and genuine emotion, these are too few and far between to save the film from its own shortcomings.