Breaking
Over the years the plight of veterans has come to the fore in a plethora of ways. Breaking, starring John Beyoga, tragically showcases just how desperate these situations can get for some people.
Boyega portrays Brian Brown-Easley a former marine suffering from PTSD who is pushed to the brink before ultimately deciding to hold up a bank in Marietta, Georgia in 2017. Based on a true story the film documents the moment Brown-Easley decided to walk into a Wells Fargo bank & hand the teller a note saying he was carrying a bomb in his backpack. This sets off a chain reaction of events as Brown-Easley, who had no real intention of causing harm or even robbing the bank simply tries to have his story heard.
What caused Brown-Easley to make such a rash decision? He felt wronged by the Department of Veterans Affairs after they had withheld $892 from his disability benefit.
Breaking unfolds in a truly heartbreaking fashion as the viewer quickly sympathises with Brown-Easley & his plight. The story is conveyed through a very limited cast, with Boyega leading the film as he is supported by Nicole Beharie & Selenis Leyva as bank tellers, Connie Britton as a reporter Brown-Easley spoke with via the telephone & finally Michael K. Williams as the hostage negotiator.
While there are other members of the cast it is these 5 actors who shoulder the load of this film. Each gives outstanding performances.
Boyega is incredibly humanising in his portrayal of Brown-Easley. Subtle facial expressions portray more emotion than any dialogue ever could.
Behani & Leyva wonderfully showcase the fear, emotion & bargaining that the bank teller must have felt during the hostage situation. This is contrasted by Britton in her role as the logical, methodical & empathetic reporter who acts as a supportive ear for Brown-Easley to vent to.
Last but not least is Michael K Williams, in one of his final roles. As Eli Bernard, he is stoic but tender as he listens to Brown-Easley & opens up about his own experiences as a military veteran.
Ultimately, Breaking is a fantastic film that avoids the typical action tropes of hostage negation & instead focuses on the intimate emotional challenges that everyone involved must overcome. As someone unaware of the outcome of this event the ending to Breaking was truly heartbreaking & pinpointed the need for justice & support for our military veterans.
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