Shadows on the Wall

Mustache

dir-scr Imran J Khan
prd Christina Won, Jessica Sittig
with Atharv Verma, Rizwan Manji, Meesha Shafi, Ayana Manji, Alicia Silverstone, Hasan Minhaj, Armaan Jawandha, Melody Cao, Krishna Manivannan, Mojeane Sadr, Shaheryar Rana, Ehsan Kamal
release US 31.Jul.26
23/US 1h24

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This witty, hugely engaging comedy-drama centres on a young teen who worries that he'll never fit in. Sharply well written and played, the story is set around a Pakistani family living in San Jose, California, cleverly weaving cultural issues with the chaos of adolescence. Writer-director Imran Khan finds hilarious observations all the way through the story, and as it gets deeper under the skin, it also resonates beautifully.

Ilyas (Verma) started growing a moustache when he was 10, and his parents (Rizwan Manji and Shafi) won't let him shave. Mercilessly teased, he hopes for a new start when he transfers to a public high school, but everything's even more confusing, even with his cool older friend Aasim (Jawandha) there. Trying to convince his parents that he's becoming a bad Muslim, he pretends to have an Asian girlfriend, Liz (Cao). And she introduces him to acting class with Miss Martin (Silverstone), which opens a door to his creativity and a new group of friends.

In his amusing narration, Ilyas describes school as a "self-regulating fear-based system", while his parents are impossible to please. So he imagines running away from his family, somewhere no one would ever have to see him again. As he starts to find things that interest him, helping him develop his own voice, he still finds it impossible to talk to his father. And he begins to understand that the most important thing he needs to do is accept himself.

Verma gives a beautifully offhanded performance as Ilyas, a smart, observant kid. He thinks he needs to repress emotions that are surging within him, so it's wonderful to watch him develop his confidence, even if he has no idea how to express it. The characters around him feel earthy and real, seen larger-than-life through his eyes, played with lovely textures by a strong cast. Manji is particularly strong as Ilyas' father, frustrated that his own life isn't going as expected.

Regarding his moustache, Ilyas says, "I've chosen obedience over my self-interest." Then he begins transgressing in other ways, like a normal teen. Along the way, the film skilfully captures how each minor incident feels like the end of the world. Then this imaginative young man discovers unexpected freedom when he expresses himself. Even so, he knows he has many lessons still to learn, both from other kids and from his cultural heritage. And this starts by embracing what makes him different.

themes, language, violence 27.Jul.26

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