by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What is the best way to elevate a thriller? Give the film something to say. Don’t get me wrong, a bunch of crazy thrills strung together can be a purely entertaining and exciting experience. But will we care? If there are real human stakes and messages that we can relate to, then there will be extra dimensions to the experience we have. That makes for a dynamic film. A thriller about someone holding a bank hostage has plenty of dramatic potential, but their reason for doing so is the key to make it a last film experience.
What is the reason behind the events that bring Breaking to life? For a film that is being framed as a modern Dog Day Afternoon, there is a lot of pressure. Al Pacino’s classic is a towering classic and a trend setter for such films. But Breaking is a true story with an important message to get across. First off, this is a deeply emotional and intimate film about Brian Brown-Easley (John Boyega). This man is fighting for his daughter to make sure she is taken care of. He is fighting for his own mental health, which has been ravaged by war-induced trauma. He is fighting for the benefits that are owed to him, and which are skimmed on for so many of our veterans. When support for veterans is such a hot-button issue, this film comes in and puts it in the forefront without any shame. No punches are pulled, and nothing is sugar-coated.
Does co-writer and director Abi Damaris Corbin deliver the goods on the suspense end of this thriller? He certainly does. This is one of the tensest films that you will see in a long time. The camera work is crisp, and the setting is intimate. There is no hiding from the fear and tension that fill up this film. We see the fear, anxiety, and pain in the performance of Boyega and his two captives (Nicole Beharie and Selenis Leyva). This setting is unnerving and ripe for all types of tension. Corbin allows the actors to do the talking and leverages strong visuals to pull in the audience.
Can the screenplay keep up? One of the best aspects of the film is the unique dynamic between Brown-Easley and his captives. He shows respect and restraint. He is not going around and threatening them. The opposite is true as he tries to defuse their fears. But that is not the narrative they see and expect. We have seen so many films where power and force are used on hostages, and you can see that reaction in Beharie and Leyva’s performances. They cannot get past the fear they have and the expectations they have for this situation. Narratively though, things feel a tad rushed in the third act. There could have been more with how the film was playing out, but instead it comes to a quick and decisive end. We see aspects of the story (most of the police and media) played in expected and stale ways. There is no surprise in how they operate, which takes some of the tension away.
Can the actors steal the show? Boyega is a revelation. His performance is manic and engaging. There are so many layers, as we see his endearing and tender dynamic with his daughter. He has a sense of honor and respect, which shines in his engagement with Michael K. Williams’ Bernard as he negotiates with him. We see him snap and lose control of his emotions when things are not going his way. Boyega brings an unrivaled intensity to the film. Speaking of Williams, he delivered such a likable and charismatic performance as one of his last. Leyva is great at the fear, and that she portrays. Beharie brings a certain level of poise and control in her performance. The cast delivers so well to help reinforce the great work behind the camera.
Does Breaking size up to classic films for which it is being compared? It is too early to tell if this film will have the same lasting culture impact as Dog Day Afternoon. This is not a big, bold film with big performances. Corbin delivers a tight and thrilling ride that works in many ways even if it has some script-related shortcomings. This is a real strong film that will certainly make an impact on those who see it.
Score: 8/10
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