Review of Detroit Unleaded (2012) by Nate W — 11 Sep 2012

In Rola Neshef's debut film "Detroit Unleaded", Sami is a young man with a promising future until his father's untimely death saddles him with running the family gas station. Now he spends his days in a bulletproof glass "cage" watching life pass him by. It isn't until he meets the beguiling and beautiful Naj that a glimmer of hope vis-a-vis romance flashes into his life, although her protective brother Fadi might have something to say about that.

For a first feature, Neshef demonstrates a degree of potential for her handling of performances and nurturing onscreen chemistry between her actors. Of note is Mike Batayeh's comedically calibrated performance as Sami's ambitious business-minded cousin, recalling Joe Pesci. Still, the picture can't shake off the feel of an amateur production, one that ultimately isn't nearly as funny as it's trying to be. Only 10% of the jokes land, 80% of them fall flat, and the other 10% can't be heard because of the off sound mix. And while Neshef's treatment of "the cage" as an oppressive character unto itself is effective, it's not exactly conducive to a light, comic mood.