The Bitter Life follows Mehmet and Nermin, two young lovers from a poor neighborhood in Istanbul who dream of escaping poverty and building a life together. Mehmet works as a welder at a shipyard, while Nermin is a manicurist at a well-known salon. No matter how hard they try, they never manage to earn enough money to achieve their dreams.
As Nermin begins to lose hope of marriage, one of Istanbul’s playboys, Ender, falls in love with her at first sight. From that moment on, Nermin’s fate takes a completely different turn. She gradually becomes drawn to the glamorous life Ender offers and drifts away from the love of her life, Mehmet. After spending one night with Ender, she feels she has no choice but to marry him. Leaving behind her poor, old life and her one true love, she begins a new life with Ender.
