KSL Movie Show review: ‘Rule Breakers’ is a well-made, wholesome movie

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

SALT LAKE CITY — It always makes me nervous when an on-screen statement reads, “based on the incredible true story.” Of course, I’d love to believe it, but the skeptic in me says, “well, we’ll see about that.”

It’s a challenge I can’t ignore, even though it means more research is in my future. I actually take notes like “no way that happened” or “did the filmmaker really need to overcook that scene, as they didn’t believe the actual “truth” was enough?” Or my shorthand, “Come on!”

But occasionally, there’s enough reality in a movie that allows you to forgive the small attempts to beef up the storyline. After all, it’s not a documentary, it’s a narrative, dramatic feature film. 

By the way, that’s the standard excuse when these well-meaning filmmakers add a little zing to their scripts. Hopefully, they’re not trying to put one over on us, as those “zing” moments are usually pretty obvious.

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This latest effort from Angel Studios focuses on a group of young Afghan women, who initially simply wanted to learn about computers, a privilege only available to the young men under Taliban rule.

Roya Mahboob (Nikohl Boosheri) was intrigued by computers at an early age, eventually making a deal with a local cafe owner to allow her to teach herself on his computer before hours and then teach him how to use it, since he had no clue.

This digital awakening brought her brother Ali (Noorin Gulamgaus) into the mix and soon they were recruiting local girls to become part of a team to build robots, not the battle bots we are so familiar with, but robots that could perform specific tasks, which would then lead to international competitions the group hoped to participate in.

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First, they would have to convince the parents that this was not the worst, most dangerous idea ever, considering how strict the local culture was, and second, how would they find the resources and tools to make their dreams a reality? 

This section is carefully crafted, despite some confusing timeline jumps — i.e. 18 years earlier, 13 years later, huh? — but it’s so well-inhabited by a terrific team of young actors that you are instantly whisked away by the against-all-odds scenarios and the dogged determination of these brave young people and their families. 

Plus it has all the feels, including inspiration, good-heartedness, the recognized value of a solid education, team building, respect and compassion for fellow competitors and love of self. You can’t go wrong with those principles. 

So just take the handful of melodramatic scenes with a grain of salt and enjoy what is a well-made, wholesome movie-going experience. 

“Rule Breakers” (B+) Rated PG for thematic material and some violent content. Starring Nikohl Boosheri, Ali Fazal, Sara Malal Rowe, Anita Major, Amber Afzali, Nina Hosseinzadeh and Noorin Gulamagaus. Co-written and directed by Bill Guttentag (“Soundtrack for a Revolution” “Nanking”) – filmed in Marrakech, Morocco. Running time: 121 minutes. 

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.