Rating: 
Summary: beautiful film
Review: Not so much erotic as nostalgic, in which it succeeded very well. An Italian man inherits an old bath house in Istanbul from his aunt who went to live there (and had a great passion for the city). He initially wants to sell it as quickly as possible, but slowly get sucked into the beautiful atmosphere, via the host family that still lives in the building. When his wife finally comes to get him back to Italy, it is too late. However, she too can't resist the temptation of Istanbul, even though it was painful for her finding out that her husband had an affair with the son of the family. The film deserves 5 stars, but somehow the subtitles don't work in the very beginning of the DVD, which is a shame.
Rating: 
Summary: Astonishing
Review: Once again, I'm a bit taken aback so many reviewers did not understand this film. My advice is this: if you're a Hollywood or porn fan, you'll probably feel the same as the viewers here who offered negative, confused views. But if you're up for experiencing an intelligent and aesthetically beautiful film, you will enjoy this one. This film is so many things, but summarized it's a piece of exotica (the East as seen through the eyes of foreigners) which takes advantage of its distant locale to peer back and dissect the social flaws of the West, and the forgotten humanity of the East as well. It accomplishes as much through a deceased main character, an Italian who late in life discovered her place and contentment in Turkey. Through the living characters, we discover her tale and journey. I say this is an intelligent film as there are no black or white characters here; every character is multi-dimensional. No one character is portrayed as more valid than another. Nowhere else is this more evident than in the character of wife, who to the astonishment of the lovers shows up in Turkey unannounced. And in a brilliant twist, it is this character who is the hereoine of the film. This a peek into a strangely beautiful piece. It profoundly moved me and I can not thank the director enough for inviting me into his cultural realm and the heart which was shaped by it. I would enjoy discussing this film with any viewers who to some degree share my opinions.
Rating:
Summary: A love story.
Review: Steam is a very interesting movie. From what I have seen it's very classy and the plot was fascinating enough to keep me enthralled throughout the picture. I have read through all of the reviews and tend to disagree with others on the topic of full-frontal male nudity. Although this picture does not contain any nudity, I feel that if it did it wouldn't detract from the story any. I would not classify a film as "pornograhpic" simply because it contains full-frontal male nudity as I don't classify every film that contains full-frontal female nudity as "pornography" either. Foreign films have contained full-frontal male nudity for years. If every film that contained full-frontal male nudity was classified as "pornography", then that would encompass a great number of foreign films. Aside from that, I enjoyed the film emmensly. Very good plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Steam is lost in the fog...
Review: Steam's cover delights in telling us that it's a seductive film that "affirms that happiness is possible in this life". Whoever reviewed the movie can't have seen what I watched. As other reviewers have said, there is nothing seductive about this movie, and how these dull uninterested characters can be life affirming escapes me. The DVD itself is dreadful, it looks as though it was transferred from an old VHS tape, complete with a tape crease or two. Avoid it at all costs.
Rating:
Summary: A Turkish bathhouse impacts a modern Italian couple
Review: This 1997 Italian film has an interesting theme. It's about a successful young Italian architect who inherits some property in Turkey from his aunt. He and his wife have a brittle, caustic marriage and it is obvious that they are unhappy.
Turkey isn't that far from Italy but yet it is a world away. Here the pace of life is quiet and the people are friendly. He's soon living with the family who has run his aunt's property for many years. He absorbs some of the culture and visits a Turkish bath. This is something new for him and he soon understands the joys of this ancient custom of steam baths that is gradually disappearing in modern Turkey.
When he discovers that his aunt's property is indeed a Turkish bath, he decides to restore it to its former grandeur and soon is totally involved in his project. Suddenly, his Italian wife comes for a visit. She has a hidden agenda, which is to end their marriage and have him sign divorce papers. But in a interesting twist to the story, including a secret she discovers about her husband, we see her gradually change her personality.
Then tragedy strikes. The ending is sad but satisfactory.
The best part of this film is the way it depicted Turkey. It brought me right there and gave me insights into the ancient culture and traditions. Acting was fine as well, especially Francesca d'Aloja cast as the wife. She is a striking beauty which has not been tampered with by an American-style nose job or silicone curves. Whenever she was on-screen however, her presence dominated every scene. The plot was interesting, but some of the details remained confused throughout, especially when it came to the deceased-aunt's background. I think this was by design however. It added to the sense of mystery surrounding the central story.
Those who are interesting in exploring the contrasting cultures in Turkey today will especially enjoy this film. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: An Italian in Istanbul
Review: This is a story about an Italian man who goes to Istanbul to settle the estate of his deceased aunt. Though eager to sell off the property she has left him, when he discovers that the property is a hamam (Turkish bath), he becomes ambivalent about selling. His own perspectives on his life, Istanbul, the hamam, and the family with whom he is staying are highlighted by his aunt's words which we hear throughout the movie as he reads her returned letters. Istanbul is somewhat romanticized, with old and new customs side by side, sometimes competing and other times in harmony. All in all, it's a lovely film in Italian with English subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: An Italian in Istanbul
Review: This is a story about an Italian man who goes to Istanbul to settle the estate of his deceased aunt. Though eager to sell off the property she has left him, when he discovers that the property is a hamam (Turkish bath), he becomes ambivalent about selling. His own perspectives on his life, Istanbul, the hamam, and the family with whom he is staying are highlighted by his aunt's words which we hear throughout the movie as he reads her returned letters. Istanbul is somewhat romanticized, with old and new customs side by side, sometimes competing and other times in harmony. All in all, it's a lovely film in Italian with English subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie - but packaged so as not to do it justice
Review: This is a superb film - very atmospheric, and captures Istanbul perfectly. The description of the winds is spot on. It's a film about self discovery and getting balance in life (in the same way that Local Hero was) and about beoming entraced by an idea, and a different approach to life. It is not a 'gay' movie at all, despite the cover and the hype. Ok there is an element (without giving the story away), but it is a sensitive and clever film exploring a group of people. It's not a 'romp' movie. Anyone who buys it for watching alone for self comfort will be hugely disappointed. Anyone who buys it for a great story and tremendous atmoshere will have an excellent evening.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie - but packaged so as not to do it justice
Review: This is a superb film - very atmospheric, and captures Istanbul perfectly. The description of the winds is spot on. It's a film about self discovery and getting balance in life (in the same way that Local Hero was) and about beoming entraced by an idea, and a different approach to life. It is not a 'gay' movie at all, despite the cover and the hype. Ok there is an element (without giving the story away), but it is a sensitive and clever film exploring a group of people. It's not a 'romp' movie. Anyone who buys it for watching alone for self comfort will be hugely disappointed. Anyone who buys it for a great story and tremendous atmoshere will have an excellent evening.
Rating: 
Summary: Tepid Steam
Review: This isn't a bad movie yet I wouldn't consider it a great movie either. I would have liked to have seen more character development of its main actor as well as more development in the relationship between husband and boyfriend. Overall I thought the movie was fine but I should have watched it first before deciding to purchase. The only real disappointment was the ending where things were wrapped up just a little too predictably.
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