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 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.

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.