Watch Hala

Hala is a coming-of-age story of a young Muslim girl named Hala, played by Geraldine Viswanathan, who is struggling to find her place in the world. The film opens with a voice-over of Hala reading from her high school essay about her parents' arranged marriage and her upbringing in a devout Muslim household. Hala is a diligent student with a passion for writing, but she also has a secret life that she keeps hidden from her family.

Hala's world is turned upside down when she discovers that her father, played by Azad Khan, has been cheating on her mother, played by Purbi Joshi. Hala's mother is devastated, and Hala is torn between her loyalty to her father and her mother's pain. Hala begins to question her faith and the traditions that have been imposed on her, ultimately leading her to make some decisions that will change her life forever.

Throughout the film, Hala struggles to forge her identity and find her voice. She is intelligent, creative, and passionate, but she feels confined and stifled by the strict expectations placed upon her by her religion and culture. In one scene, Hala confides in her teacher, Mr. Lawrence, played by Jack Kilmer, about her struggles, and he encourages her to pursue her dreams and be true to herself.

As Hala navigates her changing relationships with her family, friends, and culture, she also explores her sexuality. She develops feelings for her classmate Jesse, played by Jack Antonoff, who is supportive and understanding of her struggles. Hala is also drawn to her school counselor, played by Gabriel Luna, who is an outsider like her and becomes a confidant and mentor.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography that captures the essence of Hala's world. The soundtrack is also a standout, with a mix of contemporary and traditional Middle Eastern music that adds depth and richness to the film.

Geraldine Viswanathan delivers a standout performance as Hala, perfectly capturing the nuances of a young woman struggling to find her place in the world. She is vulnerable, raw, and emotionally complex, and she brings depth and authenticity to the character. Jack Kilmer and Gabriel Luna also deliver strong performances, bringing depth and complexity to their characters as well.

Ultimately, Hala is a powerful and moving coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of identity, tradition, and faith. It is a story of one young woman's journey to find her voice and discover her own path in life. It is a film that is both timely and timeless, capturing the struggles and triumphs of youth in a way that is both relatable and inspiring.

Hala is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 75.