Hala

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.

The film is not particularly original. It tells the story of adolescence, first infatuation, conservative family, hypocrisy and slow maturation to gradual emancipation.

The film's biggest drawback is the extremely slow pace. For some viewers it may be too boring.

The film's greatest advantages include many quotes from poetry that perfectly illustrate the emotional state of more sensitive teenagers. There are also a few surprises in the film because many things are different than they seem at first. Some characters tell stories from the past, but each tells them differently. Maybe they are lying, maybe they remember their own truth.

The film is not bad (but not outstanding), but if you don't like slow pace and poetry then definitely avoid it.

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,

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.

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.