While it is accurate for what it is like to be a teenage muslim girl it is rather mild. parents are usually much more strict than hers. however it still is a bit of an insight. anyone saying this is anti islamic must have some sort of agenda as it is not at all. however i don't think this movie shows anything new, is pretty tame and if anything pro islam. it is slow and somewhat dull. i can't really recommend it unless you have time to kill. it was a little shallow considering what they could have done with the subject matter.
64 Reviews
Typical Western stereotypical theme
stormyweather_keeps_raining7 September 2020
The acting was well done but I was disappointed once again at yet another movie that tries to make Islam look oppressive and the Western way liberated. Can anyone make a decent film that doesn't portray this stereotype? Still waiting........
Absolutely HORRIBLE!
MozartJonas15 December 2019
What are they trying do making this kind of movie? THERE IS NO DAMN SENSE in this whole movie. There is no reality to this and the irony is, hala is not even portrayed by a real muslim actor. Just utterly ridiculous, terrible, horrible, you name it. Please save yourself some time and brain cells and skip this one.
People behind aren't from Pakistan and doesn't know how it's like to be a muslim
monjurahmedpappu5 July 2022
This is the problem you are gonna face when you don't have enough understanding about a calture and their family environment, new flush " It's not always about conflict " why people always think like that? Ugh ... it's hard to watch... but hey, thanks for trying ... I'm sure you are gonna get it right next time.
life style
Rmzngk0511 August 2021
The scenario is really interesting in terms of the environment's view of religion and imposing it as a tyrant, which is very important in terms of the reasons for the great traumas experienced at the point of questioning today's life. Thanks to the actors and the director.
From a muslim hijabi girl's point of view..
tugbasayin9 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
After I watched the trailer I sort of expected what this movie would be but wanted to see it anyway, since there aren't many movies with hijabi girl lead. And it was worse than what I expected.
To be clear it started well. Her liking a white boy was okay, unlike the other viewers I didn't get annoyed with that. That's normal considering she is living in the USA. But I was expecting it to be a sweet romance as it started. They made her the bad girl, dumping him like it was nothing.. and then trying to have something with her teacher. Like seriously?? What was that even?? It was out of context. And the way she acted after troubling his career. I hated her.
At least I'm glad they didn't make her end up with the white boy in the end. Because it would be a shame for the boy. Since he did nothing wrong.
As for my point of view. I am not telling that this is an unrealistic story. I know many people especially teenagers struggling... having a hard time because of their family forcing them on religion. And that's the worst. But I think it was not the case in this movie. What they did was not different from what any other parent would do. (except the arranged marriage part. And actually, her mother later said that she was free to do what she wants about the matter.) So what was all the anger about??? Her father? He was the problem one here.
What I'm trying to say is... there are way too worse parents out there. Clearly, She had an understanding mother. So I didn't understand why she acted like it was the religion suppressing her, and limiting her from what she wanted to do. It was her problematic father... So I didn't get why they portrayed the ending as the taking of the hijab was the solution for all of her problems. I'm not saying that she shouldn't take it off. On the contrary, I'm saying that no one should wear it if they don't feel like it. Because what's the point of doing something reluctantly.
I wish this movie was about the real struggles of a hijabi girl like everyone needs it. Not a weird grumpy girl, letting down the people who cares about her, and trying to ruin a man's career by acting so thoughtlessly. And blaming the hijab for everything in the end.
To be clear it started well. Her liking a white boy was okay, unlike the other viewers I didn't get annoyed with that. That's normal considering she is living in the USA. But I was expecting it to be a sweet romance as it started. They made her the bad girl, dumping him like it was nothing.. and then trying to have something with her teacher. Like seriously?? What was that even?? It was out of context. And the way she acted after troubling his career. I hated her.
At least I'm glad they didn't make her end up with the white boy in the end. Because it would be a shame for the boy. Since he did nothing wrong.
As for my point of view. I am not telling that this is an unrealistic story. I know many people especially teenagers struggling... having a hard time because of their family forcing them on religion. And that's the worst. But I think it was not the case in this movie. What they did was not different from what any other parent would do. (except the arranged marriage part. And actually, her mother later said that she was free to do what she wants about the matter.) So what was all the anger about??? Her father? He was the problem one here.
What I'm trying to say is... there are way too worse parents out there. Clearly, She had an understanding mother. So I didn't understand why she acted like it was the religion suppressing her, and limiting her from what she wanted to do. It was her problematic father... So I didn't get why they portrayed the ending as the taking of the hijab was the solution for all of her problems. I'm not saying that she shouldn't take it off. On the contrary, I'm saying that no one should wear it if they don't feel like it. Because what's the point of doing something reluctantly.
I wish this movie was about the real struggles of a hijabi girl like everyone needs it. Not a weird grumpy girl, letting down the people who cares about her, and trying to ruin a man's career by acting so thoughtlessly. And blaming the hijab for everything in the end.
If you think this is islamophobic, then you've got problems
y-e-b11 June 2020
Newsflash: NO, this does not concern just "1 percent" of muslims but more like 80-90%. It's about time these sorts of issues get talked about.
I'm not even Pakistani but I'm from a muslim family and I can tell you this is exactly the sort of struggle children of muslim parents go through not just in Pakistan but in the middle east and everywhere else in muslim communities living in countries where liberal ideas haven't gained hold (and even in those communities living in countries where they did, as this movie shows). For *most* children of muslim parents, it often comes down to choosing between religion or themselves - it shouldn't surprise you that they end up choosing themselves (you can't love anybody - including God - if you hate yourself).
I really liked the movie because I think it sheds a light on a reality many people simply don't want to see nor recognize.
The only misshap with the movie is that story about the teacher - that simply has no place / no logic and no reason to be in the story. If it weren't for that I'd give 10 stars,
I'm not even Pakistani but I'm from a muslim family and I can tell you this is exactly the sort of struggle children of muslim parents go through not just in Pakistan but in the middle east and everywhere else in muslim communities living in countries where liberal ideas haven't gained hold (and even in those communities living in countries where they did, as this movie shows). For *most* children of muslim parents, it often comes down to choosing between religion or themselves - it shouldn't surprise you that they end up choosing themselves (you can't love anybody - including God - if you hate yourself).
I really liked the movie because I think it sheds a light on a reality many people simply don't want to see nor recognize.
The only misshap with the movie is that story about the teacher - that simply has no place / no logic and no reason to be in the story. If it weren't for that I'd give 10 stars,
Not surprised
hbakhit6 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Just when I thought I could watch a movie depicting a Muslim girl's daily struggles with practicing her religion in the west and hoping to see her win in the end, I'm not surprised with the outcome.
Just once, I'd like to see a movie showing that a girl does actually feel free with her hijab on and that she doesn't need to take it off to feel empowered.
Horrible movie. Second half of it was a mess. I got bored during many scenes. I didn't understand why they had to show her getting close to her teacher as well. What was the point of that?
It was pretty sloppy.
So Good
coolzaiduwu11 November 2019
This idea is awesome. I love the trailer and it is so real. I am a Pakistani American, and it shows the struggles we had to go through, the purity culture, and oppression caused by religion. If you are offended by this movie, chances are you are probably aren't too fond of progression and the exchange of ideas and philosophies :)
Started so well
harril-586-2674528 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The lead character Hala, began as an intelligent, sensitive teenager at the beginning of this movie but develops predatory tendencies as the story unfolds. Her wrecking ball effect on all the males involved in this far-fetched story removes any sympathy for her as the plot continually sickens. Whoever dreamed up this piece of fiction needs to be discouraged for inventing such disappointing and totally unbelievable tripe for the actors to squander their talent on. The 4 stars are for nice cinematography plus great effort from all the actors involved.
Racist Orientalism yet again
emgee-256277 November 2019
A terrible, Islamophobic, racist overused orientalist narrative of a hijabi Muslim girl who is oppressed and severely depressed until she finds liberation through a non-Muslim white guy. Very original, and very accurate.
Relatable
mossypickle11 November 2019
Tried to come in with an open mind; worse than I expected - Orientalist
Fluom6 November 2019
I kind of knew what I was getting myself into when I walked in, but I was still curious since the director had a hand in Ramy. Man it was hard to watch. That is not an exaggeration. The premise really struck me as Orientalist and an almost fetishization of Muslim women - a trope that has become all too common in cinema. I had hope that the movie would, at least in some subtle way, buck the trope and lead us in a fresh direction but my hope was repeatedly crushed throughout. Rather than any subversion to the trope, it just indulged in it. Beyond that the film itself was quite average, definitely would not recommend spending money to watch this. Its frankly slow and boring, its hard to get through and by the end you don't really care what happens. The entire second half would need to be completely redone. Its like the director really just wanted the premise and didn't really care where the film went from there.
Skip it, you'll regret taking the time or money to watch.
Skip it, you'll regret taking the time or money to watch.
Thoughtful, Realisitic, and Touching
Boratvoicemywife27 July 2019
This is one of the most accurate portrayals of high school life I've ever seen in a film. On top of that, the characters are seriously compelling and the story is quite moving. I'd say it successfully accomplishes everything is set out to do.
Very Disappointing
abrarnadir-383-33545124 January 2020
In one line: A Hindu religion girl chooses to act as a Muslim teenager, who do not know how to speak URDU properly. Movie is trying to show that a Red-light stop means nothing in life, keep driving even when you see Red signals, utter nonsense of a movie.
Waste time badly
TareqAlebrahim27 February 2020
Amazing
unbotheredok27 October 2019
Wonderful story and we need more movies about Muslim perspectives, there are rarely portrayed in the western world as anything positive. There are many Arabic shows and movies that have great writing and storytelling but since they don't get translated we don't get much English shows about Muslim life.
Portraying muslim men as oppressive
rafey-6168225 January 2020
3/10 Sub-Generic Culturally-Offensive Storytelling
wheeelertron30 January 2021
This film is so two-dimensional and superficially plotted that it collapses under any real scrutiny, it's attempt at examination of a complex cultural subject clearly offending and polarising some of it's audience, and while I commend the young lead actor for bringing depth to her role with an expressive performance and proficient use of a skateboard (and I hope and imagine it will be a good launch-vehicle for her), despite her character's somewhat unbelievable choices, I am left bewildered and annoyed that this production that would not look out-of-place at a second-year film student's festival screening has achieved flagship platform positioning on Apple TV+ they must have been desperate for diverse content, fair enough, but I do not recommend you watch this film as it will probably leave you confused, annoyed and possibly offended!
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Great movie - Very realistic
bluehawk256 December 2019
SPOILER ALERT
brownbear889 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Horrible story. Ridiculous ending. The supportive teacher, poor chap, he gets railroaded by this unpleasant girl, Hala. Now she can go to college and have great experiences after she selfishly ruins a good man's life and career. Is this the story line? So absurd. Not just this aspect. The entire story. ABSURD
Stuck in the rut
Sexy-scientist8 May 2021
I had some expectations because of the good reviews, but the story fell flat and didn't go anywhere. The girl feels bound in religious customs forced by strict parents. The smart Asian girl gets admission into the college of her choice. She ditches the religious boundations. Oh, come on Minhal Baig! I have seen your other titles. You can de better than that. I am not denying the possibility of such a household in the country, but America needs a positive representation of Islam to break the mindset of a typical American of an Islamic family. Titles like Arranged by Diane Crespo and Stefan C. Schaefer would be much more appreciated.
Beautiful movie
mberg746 June 2020
Shove It Flip
southdavid10 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Of all the movies on Apple TV, and I've seen all but one now, "Hala" was the one that I struggled to get through the most. I really like Geraldine Viswanathan and though I felt I understood at times where this movie might be going, I felt like the plot kept shifting to a different story and at the conclusion I wasn't sure why anyone would have thought to tell it.
Hala (Geraldine Viswanathan) is a Pakistani-American teenager caught between the conservative nature of her Muslim upbringing and the temptation of "freedom" with the American culture. Strongly against the wishes of her parents, she begins a secret relationship with Jesse (Jack Kilmer) a boy in her English class. Then she learns a secret about her father that could threaten her families very existence.
I am not going to begin to approach discussion of the accuracy of the film in portraying the experience of a teenage Muslim girl, as I can't begin to relate, I can only talk about how I felt watching the movie. I felt like everytime we came close to seeing what the film was about, it whipped the plot out from underneath us and said "no, we're about this now". She is willing to risk the wraith of her parents to spend time with Jesse, they have one disappointing sexual encounter and then he's gone, never to be addressed again. Her fathers secret threatens to be the plot for about ten minutes, then we have another plot involving her teacher that literally comes out of nowhere. Each of these plot strands is either unconcluded or unearned in the first place and I came away at the end of the film literally thinking "why". Why does this movie exist? It neither offers a unique perspective of a situation, nor tells a compelling story.
The performances are decent but not enough on their own to cover for a jumbled and baffling plot.
Hala (Geraldine Viswanathan) is a Pakistani-American teenager caught between the conservative nature of her Muslim upbringing and the temptation of "freedom" with the American culture. Strongly against the wishes of her parents, she begins a secret relationship with Jesse (Jack Kilmer) a boy in her English class. Then she learns a secret about her father that could threaten her families very existence.
I am not going to begin to approach discussion of the accuracy of the film in portraying the experience of a teenage Muslim girl, as I can't begin to relate, I can only talk about how I felt watching the movie. I felt like everytime we came close to seeing what the film was about, it whipped the plot out from underneath us and said "no, we're about this now". She is willing to risk the wraith of her parents to spend time with Jesse, they have one disappointing sexual encounter and then he's gone, never to be addressed again. Her fathers secret threatens to be the plot for about ten minutes, then we have another plot involving her teacher that literally comes out of nowhere. Each of these plot strands is either unconcluded or unearned in the first place and I came away at the end of the film literally thinking "why". Why does this movie exist? It neither offers a unique perspective of a situation, nor tells a compelling story.
The performances are decent but not enough on their own to cover for a jumbled and baffling plot.
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