Review of Compliance (2012) by Zane U — 25 Apr 2013

Don't watch this if you don't want to get really pissed off. Just make sure you're getting pissed off for the right reasons. I feel like viewers might be tempted to condemn Sandra, who was coaxed by fear of authority to do things that no sane person would do of her own volition.

But the gross degradation that Becky experienced was not just Sandra's doing or even the satellite pervert pulling the "prank." The social evil that facilitated the horrifying events in Compliance is instead a culture that is bullied into submitting to authority.

Think, why is it okay that we are cultured to assume that failing to submit to police instructions will result in punishment? If police procedure was transparent, if people were educated of their rights (suspects and also witnesses) during a police investigation, the police wouldn't be--and wouldn't be seen--an omnipotent bully.

But as it stands, when verbally protesting an arrest or a speeding ticket results in heavier punishment, we clam up and submit because it's easier. It's not just the Sandras in the world who don't question police authority, almost all of us do it.

It kind of bums me out. I've got to believe there's a way that the police can operate efficiently without promulgating the specter of an irrational iron fist.