Review of Compliance (2012) by Dana S — 27 Feb 2013

Assigning a rating to Compliance is a difficult task. From a purely cinematic standpoint it's well filmed, has a good sense of building tension, its writing is effective, and its performances are at worst competent and at best outstanding. However, the subject matter of its story is so despicable and morally repugnant that it created what may very well have been the most downright uncomfortable viewing experience of my life.

The story it tells is shockingly true, with the only big alterations being names of characters and companies. It effectively builds the tension it seeks, and provides an unpleasant experience that you can't look away from. The biggest fault I have is there's no real answer to the big question of "why?" Why did the caller do these things? What did he really get out of it? And while I saw reason enough why some of the abusers to the girl would go along with the orders, I couldn't really understand why the girl would go along with these things, especially when they reach a climax. After reading more about the true story I got a better glimpse of the answer, but it's not really present in the movie.

It effectively puts you in that situation. No better can this be seen than in the fact that as the start of the abuse, I was shocked; but as it went on, I was more willing to go along with it, much like the victims. It raises the question of "what would you do?" and all I can say is I hope I never have to find out.