Review of Compliance (2012) by Brian C — 08 Mar 2013

Many people know about Stanley Milgram and the foot-in-the-door technique. This film depicts an actual true story and follows it very accurately to the events that occurred. It proves the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction, as many reviewers have derided the premise and questioned how stupid the people in this movie could be, adding a whole level of irony to the whole thing. One thing I learned long ago is that the most ridiculous stories often turn out to be true, and often beyond all logic or stupidity. Granted, you'll find yourself asking the same question. The shit that happens here is so outrageous it defies all attempts to reason through it. How could someone fall for this? How could it progress to vicarious rape? I think many people would agree that there are stupid people in this world who blindly listen to authority, but to this degree?

Well, yes. Again, it did happen. And here's the mind-boggling part: it happened over 70 times. This was not an isolated incident, although this was the furthest it ever got.

So what do we take away from this film? It's unpleasant, and it tells a story. That's pretty much it. We don't get a sense of social commentary, as it focuses exclusively on those few hours in the back room. We don't get any moral preaching, or really much characterization on the type of people who would do this, or fall for this. In fact, not much really happens at all. All we finally learn by the time the credits roll is that a terrible thing happened, and it happened more than once, and most likely, such things will happen again.

Weep for humanity, ladies and gentlemen.