The Ottoman Lieutenant is one of those old-fashioned melodramatic war-time epic dramas, complete with a love triangle, that despite its predictable plot, will probably prove to be quite a crowd pleaser. That is unless you a stickler for history as in this Turkish financed production, the tragic Armenian Genocide when 1.5 million people were massacred, is practically glossed over.
The story starts in 1914 when a young nurse Lillie Rowe (Hera Hilmar) deserts her somewhat comfortable privileged life in Philadelphia to deliver an ambulance and hospital supplies to Turkey after being inspired by hearing a talk by Dr Jude Gresham (Josh Hartnett) who was touring the US fundraising. When the 23 year old arrives in Istanbul the army provide her with a military escort to finish the last leg of her dangerous journey. This just happens to be led by handsome Lieut. Ismail Veil (Michiel Huisman) who she had bumped into in the Market the day before.
En route to the remote Hospital their convoy is attacked by bandits and they lose everything, and after a night camping under the stars, it is also kind of obvious that these two have already lost their hearts as well.
A surprised Dr. Gresham welcomes Lillie with open arms, although he is less than cordial with the Lieutenant. However the grumpy hospital chief (Ben Kingsley) snaps ‘this is no place for a lady.‘ She of course will prove him wrong and naturally within a short time will become indispensable winning his begrudging admiration, and also the heart of Dr Gresham too. He knows that he will have to battle it out with the Lieutenant as to who gets her hand, and although he may win the fist fight, he will not win the main prize.
The movie directed by Joseph Ruben from a script by Jeff Stockwell has a beautiful visual feel to it, and the two fairly unknown leads are extremely convincing as the young lovers who are happy to put their religious differences and the war aside for a fleeting moment.
At one point Lillie pronounces ‘I thought I was going to change the world, but of course it was the world that changed me.‘ But thats what war will do to you ….. well that and the love of a handsome Ottoman Lieutenant.
