‘Breaking’ Review – A Tale Of Nail-Biting Suspense And A Career-Best Performance From John Boyega

In July of 2017, a Marine lance corporal and Iraq War veteran, Brian Brown-Easley, entered a Well Fargo Bank in Atlanta, took hostages, and demanded access to his disability check that he had never received. Fast forward five years later, and we have that very story being told in the cinemas, featuring a magnificent performance from John Boyega as Brown-Easley.

Breaking is directed by Abi Damaris Corbin and co-written by Damaris and Kwame Kwei-Armah – which is adapted from an article written by Aaron Gell at Task & Purpose. The film is almost entirely told in real-time, with the occasional flashback. It is one of the hardest films I’ve watched this year by far, but it has not only a compelling but one hell of an important story to tell.

We are introduced to our main character, Brian (Boyega), who is a veteran marine living in a motel away from his ex-wife, Cassandra (Olivia Washington), and his daughter, Kiah (London Covington), whom he adores and would do anything for. As the film starts, you get a clear sense right away that this man has been pushed to his limits of what he can take, and is preparing to do something. But what is that something? The emotions on his face are very clear. It will not be good.

Boyega, with his bald head, channels the very being of Denzel Washington himself, and gives an extraordinary performance, his best in his career so far. The PTSD veteran has been driven to the point of desperation, just wanting his damn checks from the veteran administration. This is a silent protest story of a broken system, unfolding the truth about our country’s harrowing way of treating its veterans when they return home. The emotions that Boyega brings to the surface are not only haunting, but extremely moving.

This isn’t like most bank hostage films. As you watch, you can’t help but be reminded of Dog Day Afternoon. But Breaking finds its way to be unique and dive deep into this topic, but does so effortlessly and beautifully, and it doesn’t leave you with any doubt about knowing where it’s going.

As the narrative unfolds, it becomes very clear that Brian isn’t here to hurt anyone. In fact, he instructs Rosa (Selenis Leyva) and Estel (Nicole Beharie) to escort the other tellers and customers out of the bank. He’s not here to put anyone in danger; he just wants someone to hear his voice and care about his case. He tells Rosa and Estel to call the police, the local news stations, and the fire department; he wants everyone to hear him out. But the real star of the film is the hostage negotiator, Eli Bernard (Michael K. Williams), who is committed to making sure Brian survives this situation. Bernard, a fellow marine himself, shares his own experiences as a veteran returning home, and the emotion between them both is what make the film even more impactful.

Even though the film keeps the suspense going, there is some inconsistency with the storytelling. At first, the audience thinks Brian hasn’t been in trouble with the law before, based on some background checks when he’s holding the tellers hostage. But then, a flashback occurs and shows Brian getting arrested at the veteran’s administration for having a meltdown. You cannot help but feel the storytelling is a little all over the place and leaves you with questions unanswered.

Perhaps a big missed opportunity in the film is that it doesn’t address whether Brian has been diagnosed or undiagnosed with any mental illness. How long has he had it? Is he getting any treatment for it? You’re safe to assume he has some kind of mental health issue, but the film doesn’t explain any of this, which would enrich the story. We are left with several unanswered questions.

Breaking isn’t a film that looks at Brian as a heroic character speaking out. “One man against a corrupt system”, but if Brian were “white,” the outcome would be very different. In fact, Brian even comes to terms with knowing he might not make it out of the day, and that just makes the story much more distressing.

Sure, the film probably doesn’t go into as great of detail about Easley’s story as it probably should. But it does give a glimpse into our veterans and the VA. We are quick to call them heroes; we honor them at events; but when it’s time to come home, it’s a nightmare.

Overall, Breaking is a film with nail-biting suspense, and what Boyega brought to the surface was mesmerizing.

Breaking will be available exclusively in theaters beginning Friday, August 26th courtesy of Bleecker Street. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vi3EhaNOII]