Breaking

Breaking is the type of film that sticks with you and makes you want to research the true story it's based upon.

When I initially saw trailers, I figured it looked and felt a lot like John Q, where an individual - respectfully - does something highly illegal like taking hostages, because the system has driven them to its breaking point. 

In the story of Brian Brown-Easley, that system is the VA (Veteran Affairs) and the man is denied his disability payment, forcing him to likely be homeless unless he does something drastic. 

I have very little experience with the VA aside from a handful of instances in my healthcare-based day job. From those experiences, I can tell you that they often suck. I remember the people on the other end of the phone being nice (most of the time) but they're the epitome of government "efficiency" (aka...there is none) and "speed" (aka...slow AF). Regardless of what side of the political aisle you're on, it should be easy to agree that our veterans are given a s**t hand more often than not when they return home, especially if they suffer from mental health issues. 

In my research about Breaking, I found that it was highly accurate. I'm struggling to really reveal how I feel about the film because spoilers are so easy to create with certain phrasing, but suffice it to say that the proceedings are messy and shocking. If anything, that was my only gripe about the film is that it felt like it spun its wheels for a good 30 minutes, specifically while Brown-Easley (Boyega) is waiting for a negotiator (Michael K. Williams). Despite my frustration with that element, I also reflect on it as something the police force was consistently messing up and delaying, for really no good reason. So there's a point to it and it makes the ending hit all the much harder. 

That's dangerous territory (unless you already know the story), so instead I'll speak to what's not spoilery. The film's techniques are standard, but effective. There's not much flashy cinematography, nor is there a pulse-pounding original score. I think both would have helped, but there's still tense editing and pacing that keep the tension rising and holding. 

Likely Boyega's best performance to date

Truly though, it's our performances that sell the film. John Boyega should be getting award nominations as his powerful, but equally quiet and shy portrayal of a man doing something he doesn't want to do is mesmerizing. He feels like a real man, pushed to a real brink, and it's heartbreaking to watch. Much in the same way as John Q, you can't help but want to root for him. Nicole Beharie and Selenis Leyva are the two bank managers stuck inside who balance the fear they have of this unknown man with varying levels of sympathy. They are perfect balances to Boyega. Introduced later, Michael K. Williams' Eli Bernard, also a veteran, is a stoic, calm individual who - despite being a negotiator - seems to truly want to help Brown-Easley. The other bits of side casts do their job, but one of these four is almost always on screen, so there's often a fantastic performance to follow. 

Breaking is a film that will elicit emotions in nearly anyone with a pulse. It's ending you won't see coming and even some of the frustrations I had with the film kept me thinking about the situation. The term FUBAR is used at one point in the movie and it's the perfect description of the situation depicted in the film while the film itself is an excellent and accurate portrayal of real life events. 

CONS

• Could have used some cinematography and original score upgrades. Both feel pretty standard
• Spins its wheels a bit too long
• Felt like it didn't complete its backstory about Brown-Easley

PROS

• Incredible true story that will stick with you. The ending is shocking
• Editing and pacing (most of the time) create a very tense situation
• Outstanding performances with an award-worth one from Boyega in particular

Rath's Review Score | 8/10