Review: Stop-Loss.
August 27th 2008 16:32
RELEASE DATE: In Release
RUNNING TIME: 112 mins
CAST: Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Tatum Channing, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ciarin Hinds, Timothy Oliphant, Victor Rasuk Rob Brown, Mamie Gummer.
DIRECTOR: Kimberley Peirce
WRITING CREDITS: Mark Richard, Kimberly Peirce
DISTRIBUTOR: PARAMOUNT
Staff Sgt Brandon King fought for America. He fought for freedom. He fought for his family. He gave everything and then came home to begin life anew.
But now they want more. They want him back.
Stop-Loss is a topical and emotionally penetrating drama examining the US Government policy affecting the lives of more than 100, 000 soldiers and their families making them walk the fine line between doing their duty and doing what is right.
Brazos Texas welcomes home its Iraq war heroes returning after completion of their tour of duty and the boys are excited that they can now get back to normal civilian life with their wives, girlfriends and families. Then, unexpectedly, Brandon (Phillippe) receives orders to return to Iraq after the US Government invokes a measure called Stop-Loss, indefinitely extending his enlistment.
With his entire world turned upside down he enlists the help of the only one he can trust – Michele (Cornish). As his best friend suffers with the memories of Iraq waking in the middle of the night to build trenches in his front yard, Brandon and Michele set off on a trip across the U.S., a fugitive from justice in the country he fought to protect.
Peirce initially set up this film as a character piece, but by the time she finishes we see a lot more than just the characters. The film shows a country that deems itself to be the protectors of democracy compelling their own citizens against their will, appropriating their civil rights without consideration.
While not on the scale of anti war films such as Apocalypse Now, Platoon or Born on the Fourth of July, the film opens people’s eyes to the lies and disingenuous speeches being made by politicians not just in the USA, but throughout the democratic world.
After being released briefly in the United States earlier to an blasé response from audiences, it is obvious to see the propaganda machine is working well. People don’t want to be told about their faults, they would prefer to be kept in the dark feeling comfortable in the fact that someone else is doing the worrying or the fighting fro them.
That is what is so appealing about this film. Very few people are aware of the political agendas of their own country let alone others and it is energizing to see that there are still filmmakers out their pushing and struggling to be heard.
The film settles in well right from the very beginning with the fire fight and the homecoming setting up the characters and their separate yet intertwined stories while centring on the hometown heroes battle with the powers that be.
At times the action does become a little predictable. Unfortunately, by midway through the film it becomes obvious that Brandon and his mates are in a no win situation whatever decision they make and this does let the film down slightly. Although there could have been a little more time given to the support roles, the actors give excellent character performances Peirce attempts to give as much insight as possible in the limited time available. The characters futile acceptance of events as they unfold show just how much solving the problems at hand are easier said than done.
Definitely a film that should be seen on the big screen, and hopefully will receive a longer release so that as many people as possible can get out to see it.
RANKING 7.5 / 10
STAY TUNED FOR AN INDEPTH INTERVEIW WITH DIRECTOR KIMBERLY PEIRCE
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