YOU'VE GOT ME, WHO'S GOT YOU? // "BREAKING FAST" // BENTONVILLE 2020 FILM FESTIVAL FILM REVIEW
Films about actors in Hollywood are as common as actors in Hollywood themselves. To be able to come up with an original spin on the romantic Hollywood fable is a feat within itself. Thankfully BREAKING FAST has done just that. For starters, it helps that the actor is the supporting character. But also, telling a deeply personal and original story of a Gay practicing Muslim man and the relationship between his religion and his life immediately strikes a chord of both authentic and deeply original.
Mo (Haaz Sleiman) is a young Muslim man who's reeling from a heartbreak near the beginning of Ramadan. He and his partner split almost a year ago and he hasn't dated since. His best friend Sam (Amin El Gamal), a non-practicing Muslim, invites him to his birthday party, hoping to cheer him up. At the party, he ends up meeting an attractive, and single white actor named Kal (Michael Cassidy) and they immediately hit it off (One great touch is as Sam tries to tell Mo something about Kal in Arabic, Sam responds, letting them know that he also speaks Arabic). Mo is smitten, but he also is very wound up and doesn't know how to navigate this well. The night doesn't go quite as planned and they end up going separate ways. As luck would have it, Kal ends up visiting someone at the hospital Mo works at and they hit it off again. Since it's the beginning of Ramadan, Mo asks if Kal would like to break bread with him during his nightly Iftars (the traditional meal eaten by Muslims during Ramadan). And so they spend night after night together, growing closer and closer. The question then becomes how much will Mo open up, and will he actually allow Kal into his heart and open himself up to new experiences.
Writer/Director Mike Mosallam, expanding his celebrated 2016 short of the same name, has crafted a timeless and beautifully original story. A film revolving around a practicing gay Muslim is not commonly told, but BREAKING FAST treats it like it's no different than any other romantic tale, because it's not. It's extremely touching that Mo's family is so accepting of him and how loving the film treats all of the characters. There are lessons to be learned, but no one is harshly judged. Haaz Sleiman does beautiful work as the tightly wound Mo. He has charm to spare, and his performance is strong. Michael Cassidy shines with a wonderful warmth throughout. They have great chemistry together and turn even what might be a cheesy plot device (Kal's full name is Kal-El, Superman's real name) into a charming mutual love of the comic book character. Mosallam fully develops their individual characters and their relationship, making the main plotline feel lived in and real. Also shining on screen is Amin El Gamal as Mo's best friend. He's hilarious and loving, but late in the film, he also shows a beautiful dramatic range and sells the difference between Muslims who embrace their faith and those who find fault in it. A beautifully done dinner scene showcases the two sides perfectly, and both Amin and Haaz are fantastic in it (their platonic chemistry is also spot on).
BREAKING FAST is a perfectly constructed film, evenly showcasing the humor & drama and features a wonderful cast who each enhance each other in every sequence. Charming, lively and tender, this is a film you'll want to break bread with again and again.
The Bentonville Film Festival Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on promoting underrepresented voices of diverse storytellers. We want to amplify female, LGBTQ+, people of color, and people with disabilities in entertainment and media. We do this through research, education, and supporting the production and distribution of inclusive content.
GRADE: A
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY Mike Mosallam STARRING Haaz Sleiman, Michael Cassidy, Amin El Gamal, Rula Gardenier, Patrick Sabongui. Selected as Part of the Bentonville 2020 Film Festival. For more information: https://bentonvillefilm.org/artists/breaking-fast/