Detroit Unleaded

Watch Detroit Unleaded

  • NR
  • 2013
  • 1 hr 33 min
  • 6.0  (228)
  • 59

Detroit Unleaded is an independent film that tells the story of a young Lebanese-American named Sami who works at his family's gas station in Detroit. The film takes place over the course of a few days and follows Sami as he navigates the complexities of his family relationships, his romantic interests, and the challenges of working at a gas station.

The film starts by introducing us to Sami, a twenty-something guy who is content to work at his family's gas station and hang out with his friends. His life is relatively uneventful until he meets a beautiful girl named Najlah who pops into the gas station one day looking for a job. Najlah is unlike any girl Sami has ever met before, and he is immediately smitten with her. However, things quickly become complicated when he realizes that Najlah is Muslim, and his strict Lebanese parents would never approve of him dating outside of their culture.

As Sami attempts to navigate this tricky situation with Najlah, he also has to deal with a series of bizarre and often hilarious encounters with the regular customers who come into the gas station. From a cranky old man who refuses to leave the bathroom to a stoned-out hippie who insists on paying for her gas with a bong, Sami encounters all sorts of oddballs during his shifts. These interactions provide some of the comedic highlights of the movie and help to break up the tension of Sami's personal struggles.

Despite the lighter moments, Detroit Unleaded is ultimately a film about cultural identity and familial obligation. Sami is caught between the expectations of his conservative parents and the desire to explore life beyond the confines of his gas station job. Najlah represents a world that is both exciting and frightening to him, and their relationship pushes him to make choices about who he wants to be and what he wants from his future.

The performances in Detroit Unleaded are solid across the board, with EJ Assi delivering a particularly strong lead performance as Sami. He brings a quiet intensity to the role, conveying Sami's internal struggles with a subtle grace. Nada Shouhayib is also excellent as Najlah, imbuing the character with a strong sense of agency and complexity. The supporting cast, including Mike Batayeh as Sami's hot-headed cousin Mike and Steven Soro as the perpetually stoned-out Julliard, are all memorable and contribute to the film's offbeat humor.

One of the most striking things about Detroit Unleaded is its use of setting. The film takes place entirely in and around the gas station, and as such, the station functions as a microcosm of the surrounding community. We see a variety of people come in and out of the station, each with their own story and struggles. Through these interactions, we get a sense of the broader social and economic issues facing Detroit, from poverty and crime to racial tension and cultural clashes.

Director Rola Nashef does an excellent job of bringing this world to life, capturing the texture and detail of the gas station and its surroundings with an unflinching eye. She also manages to infuse the film with a sense of hope and optimism, despite the many challenges faced by the characters. The film's final scenes are particularly powerful, offering a glimpse of what might be possible for Sami and Najlah if they are brave enough to pursue their dreams.

Overall, Detroit Unleaded is an engaging and well-crafted film that explores complex themes with intelligence and humor. It is a testament to the power of independent cinema and a reminder of the importance of telling diverse stories on screen. Whether you're a fan of indie dramas or just looking for a good laugh, this film is well worth checking out.

Detroit Unleaded is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 59.

Detroit Unleaded
Description
Where to Watch Detroit Unleaded
Detroit Unleaded is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Google Play. Some platforms allow you to rent Detroit Unleaded for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2013
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 33 min
  • IMDB Rating
    6.0  (228)
  • Metascore
    59