The 2022 film Breaking, starring John Boyega, is based on the true story of Brian Brown-Easley, a Marine veteran who took hostages at a Wells Fargo bank in 2017 after his disability benefits were cut off by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), leaving him on the brink of homelessness.
In the film, Boyega gives an intense, emotional performance as Brian, capturing the character’s escalating desperation as he tries to negotiate with police to restore his benefits and make a public statement about the VA’s failings.
1. What Was Brian’s Motivation in ‘Breaking’?
Through flashbacks, we learn that Brian served in the Marines and was injured, leading to chronic back pain and PTSD. After an insulting encounter trying to resolve his benefits issue at the VA office, the loss of his payments would leave him homeless. He feels the system has failed him completely.
Brian stresses repeatedly that he does not actually want to hurt anyone – his goal is to negotiate the restoration of his benefits and bring media attention to veterans’ issues. The hostages even develop some sympathy for his plight.
2. What Caused Brian’s Death?
Brian speaks with police negotiator Eli (Michael K Williams in one of his final roles), a former veteran himself. They bond over their service and Eli believes a peaceful resolution is possible.
However, the white police chief is impatient and orders a SWAT team to shoot Brian as soon as they have an opening, despite Eli’s protests. When Brian lets one hostage go as a sign of good faith, an overzealous sniper takes the shot without authorization, killing Brian.
3. Did Brian Achieve His Goal?
The movie suggests systemic racism and lack of mental health awareness contributed to the police response. Brian himself expects to die because he is Black. In the end, he achieves his goal of gaining media attention but loses his life in the process when less lethal options may have resolved the standoff.
4. Did Brian Really Have a Bomb?
The tragic ending scene shows the hostages discovering with horror that Brian had been telling the truth – his backpack contained no bomb at all. He never intended real violence, only desperate negotiation tactics. But the system was unwilling to show a troubled veteran enough patient understanding to prevent his death.
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So while Breaking ending is tragic, it powerfully highlights how Brian was failed at multiple levels by the country he served. Boyega’s performance gives dignity and nuance to this complicated character. The movie succeeds at bringing attention to the real individuals behind so many troubled veterans’ stories.
