Breaking

Boyega gives a captivating, nuanced performance in this fact-based drama about a man on a mission to be heard. Breaking isn't an easy watch; Corbin and her co-writer, playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, don't shy away from the various upsetting ways that veterans with mental health or disability needs aren't adequately supported. Brian isn't a villainous thief -- he doesn't want a cent more than he's due. Boyega touchingly captures Brian's despair and sense of helplessness in the face of poverty. Despite his anger and paranoia, Brian never wavers about the moral rightness of his actions, and for the most part he's surprisingly polite and apologetic toward the hostages. And Beharie and Leyva stand out as the bank employees who are at once frightened and desperate to convince Brian he should just take the money from the bank instead of waiting in vain for the VA to rectify their error.

As a full-length directorial debut, Breaking proves that Corbin has a great deal of promise as a filmmaker. And although Boyega is undeniably the drama's star, it's impossible to discuss the movie without focusing on the fact that it's Williams' final role. Shot in the summer of 2021 just before his death, the movie highlights exactly how much gravitas he could bring to even a supporting role. Williams imbues Officer Bernard with a powerful sense of empathy and respect that allows him to connect with the troubled Brown-Easley. He and Boyega don't physically share space (they communicate by phone), but they act so well with each other that it's easy to wish they could have made another film together. Close-ups of Williams' expressive face and his vital presence are a poignant reminder of what a talent we have collectively lost.