Watch Dough

Dough is a heartwarming British comedy-drama film that tells the story of an unlikely friendship that develops between an old, grumpy Jewish baker named Nat (Jonathan Pryce) and a young Muslim immigrant named Ayyash (Jerome Holder). The film is set in London and explores themes of multiculturalism, interfaith relationships, and family dynamics.

Nat is the owner of a struggling bakery in a run-down, predominantly Jewish neighborhood. He is a bitter, hard-hearted man who harbors deep resentment towards the changes that his community has undergone over the years. Ayyash is a young man from Darfur who has fled to London to escape persecution and seek a better life. He is struggling to make ends meet in the city and ends up working at Nat's bakery as a cleaner.

At first, Nat is highly suspicious of Ayyash and struggles to communicate with him due to their cultural and linguistic differences. However, a series of events, including the accidental addition of marijuana to one of Nat's bread doughs, leads to an unexpected partnership between the two men. Ayyash, who is a keen baker, begins to help Nat with his business, introducing new flavors and techniques that attract a diverse customer base.

As their friendship develops, Nat and Ayyash find themselves facing various challenges. Nat is being pressured to sell his bakery to a developer who wants to turn it into a boutique coffee shop, and Ayyash is being pursued by his family to take part in an arranged marriage. As they navigate these difficult situations, Nat and Ayyash learn to appreciate each other's cultures and find common ground in their shared love of baking.

One of the film's strongest aspects is its portrayal of the relationship between Nat and Ayyash. Jonathan Pryce and Jerome Holder deliver fantastic performances, bringing depth and nuance to their characters. Pryce portrays Nat as a complex man who is struggling to come to terms with the changes in his community, while Holder imbues Ayyash with a sense of determination and charm that makes him impossible not to root for.

The film also touches on important social issues, such as prejudice and discrimination. Through the characters of Nat and Ayyash, the film shows the importance of looking beyond surface-level differences and embracing diversity. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, particularly Phil Davis as a local cop who becomes a regular customer at the bakery and helps the two protagonists out of a sticky situation.

The film's pacing is well-balanced, never lingering too long on any one scene, and it strikes a good balance between humor and drama. Although the plot may seem predictable at times, the film's strong performances and themes make it a thoroughly enjoyable watch. The cinematography is also worth mentioning, as it captures the gritty, urban feel of London, showing both the beauty and the challenges of the city.

Overall, Dough is a feel-good film that offers a message of hope and unity in a world that often seems divided. It is a testament to the power of unlikely friendships and a celebration of multiculturalism. It is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and leave with a sense of warmth and optimism. Highly recommended for fans of British comedy-dramas and anyone who appreciates a good story about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

Dough is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 44.