The Rectangular View

Naz & Maalik is about a day in the life of two gay Muslim teenagers. It’s a character study, that follows Naz (Kerwin Johnson Jr.) and Maalik (Curtiss Cook Jr.) throughout their day as they sell various items on the street and subway to raise money for college.

Johnson and Cook do a good job bringing their characters to life. They play off each other with friendly banter that only two people who know each well can have. The acting is decent and it’s easy to get caught up in Naz and Maalik’s lives. When they’re approached by a white guy trying to sell a gun, Maalik asks if the gun was stolen and lowballs him while Naz looks a bit concerned. The tension is palpable until Maalik ends the discussion, and they walk away. Annoyed, Naz asks if he was serious, and Maalik chuckles and says no as if it’s obvious. The scene cements their characters early on, and the two actors never break from them.

Although both Naz and Maalik seem comfortable in their world, they keep a lookout for the police. The Brooklyn setting gives them plenty of people to interact with along with a background that is real and not a cleaned-up version of itself. The camerawork gives a voyeuristic feel to the film. Mix that with good acting, and it’s easy to get lost in the movie.

It’s not surprising to discover that Naz and Maalik are boyfriends. The film doesn’t make much of it, nor does it shy away from the topic. They’re Muslim, and their sexual identity doesn’t mix well with their religion. It puts a bit if stress on their relationship but doesn’t break the bond they have. They also have concerns about what will happen if they come out to their families.

Naz & Maalik isn’t about story, but there are several points in the movie that hint at it. The FBI agent questioning them, the both of them being in the closet, the man who invites Naz up to his apartment, the gun. Those elements feel as if they could be connected, which make the nature of film questionable.

If you’re looking for movie about a group of people not often represented, Naz & Maalik is it. It’s a plotless film with good acting, cinematography, and structure. Its only flaw is that it hints at the possibility of story, which can be confusing.