Written by Linda
March 02, 2009
First up: for those hoping for a little titillation, you aren't going to find it in Steam: The Turkish Bath. Once again, we have a case of peculiar advertising, as the posters try to lure in those who are looking for a gay romance, when instead Steam is more of a culture-clash drama. In fact, the plot is extremely similar to the award-winning Chinese film Shower, but Shower, alas, has a lot more charm.
In Steam, an Italian man (Alessandro Gassman) finds out that he has inherited some property in Istanbul from an estranged aunt who visited the Turkish city and never left. He goes to settle the estate, planning on selling all her goods and property, then discovers that part of the property includes a "hamam", a traditional public Turkish steam bath.
He is adopted into the fold of the family who were caretakers of his aunt and the bath as he decides what to do with the property. Of course he slowly finds that Istanbul has awakened him from the doldrums of his life in Italy, and his poor relationship with his wife at home. Oh, and by the way, the caretaker's family happens to have a couple of really hot young adult siblings (for the bit of sexual tension, which barely dwelled on).
Steam is most fascinating for its peek into traditional Turkish culture clashing with modern times that have no need for tradition. However, it is less successful as a character study, as lead Alessandro Gassman is handsome, but doesn't stretch himself much beyond his chiseled yet expressionless face. Luckily the setting makes up somewhat for what the characters and predictable plot lack.
