Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Meskina’ On Netflix, A Dutch Comedy Where A Recently Single Thirty-Something Tries To Rebuild Her Life

In Meskina, now streaming on Netflix, a thirty-something woman called “meskina” by her family – or “pitiful” – finds herself devastated after her fairytale romance falls apart in a very public manner. With pressure from her large family mounting and her career and dreams on hold, she wonders if things have even the slightest chance of working out for her. This heartfelt Moroccan-Dutch film is part romantic comedy, part coming-of-age story for our flailing leading lady. 

MESKINA: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Self-labeled agoraphobe Leyla (Maryam Hassouni) is turning 30. Her mother is desperate for her to get married, but she doesn’t feel ready yet, which is more than a little disappointing to the rest of her massive extended family. To her family’s delight, however, Leyla gets swept into a whirlwind romance with Abdelkarim (Olaf Ait Tami), a famous musician who seems as though he really understands her. Four years later, however, her relationship with Abdelkarim has hit a wall, and when Leyla discovers he’s been cheating on her (by reading an article in a gossip magazine, no less), she spirals into a depression. Her family – including her sister Amira (Soundos El Ahmadi) – try their best to pull her out of her shell, but she’s reluctant, afraid of getting hurt again. When she realizes she has nothing to lose, however, Leyla finally agrees to let her mom set her up and her sister make her a profile on a dating app, and she starts a new job (while putting her dream of being the “Moroccan Judy Blume” on hold).

Though many of her dates are a total disaster, Leyla begins to open herself up again, forming strong bonds at work and rebuilding her confidence. Though she’s approaching her mid 30s and is still not quite ready to be married, her mother begins to understand her in a new way – and even starts to open up her own heart to loving again. Leyla’s journey somehow winds up helping the people around her to grow, too. She may have had her heart broken and experienced some truly painful things, but with the help of people who love her and her own courage, Leyla might very well get her happily-ever-after.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Algo Azul, Sounds Like Love, and Just Say Yes. 

Performance Worth Watching: As Leyla’s sister Amira, Soundos El Ahmadi is an absolute riot. Even though her character – the supportive jokester who is only really there to move the leading lady’s story along – is one tried and true, she makes a meal out of each of her scenes, delivering her lines with a loud, proud energy. She’s got the feisty married mother role down pat. There’s a zany sort of charisma to El Ahmadi, and her wild, cartoonish expressions serve a nice foil to Maryam Hassouni’s more reserved Leyla. Every good romcom needs a good best friend, and Amira more than fits the bill thanks to El Ahmadi’s wacky, uproarious performance.

Memorable Dialogue: A lot of the dialogue in Meskina is corny, but Amira’s delivery of ridiculous lines like “barking dogs don’t bite, but Moroccan queens do” helps things along.

Sex and Skin: None.

Our Take: Meskina is an odd little movie. It’s got a lot of the ingredients that make a comedy work – a lovable leading lady, an uproarious ensemble, and a compelling journey – but it just doesn’t leave much of an impression. With so much to choose from on streaming platforms these days, romcoms – especially from overseas – have to pack a special punch, gifting us with a memorable heroine at the center of it all or a couple that has electrifying chemistry. Meskina has some of these elements, and the family component of it all is heartwarming, but the jokes are corny, and the tone of the film wavers, seemingly unsure of what direction it wants to go in. Films this featherlight belong firmly in the tight 90 category, and unfortunately, Meskina‘s script drags us past that mark and lingers in uninteresting areas of its story, occasionally questioning the power of its leading lady. It’s a shame, too, because a cast this delightful deserves something dazzling and engaging, a script worthy of their comedic chops. Meskina is undoubtedly light and funny, but the substance necessary to want to see something through for nearly two hours is sadly absent.

Our Call: SKIP IT. Its leading lady might be charismatic, but Meskina doesn’t leave much of an impression after the credits have rolled.

Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines, hogging the mic at karaoke, and thirst-tweeting. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.