Review of Compliance (2012) by Paul W — 04 Feb 2013

COMPLIANCE- At a fast food franchise in a small Ohio city, the busy Friday evening shift gets off to a routine but slightly uncomfortable start. For one thing, one of the teenage employees left the freezer door open last night, causing some food to spoil, about which the slightly frumpy manager (Ann Dowd) is kind of pissed, since management is breathing down her neck. Also, the teenagers don't really take her seriously, and snicker behind her back. But really, that's just business as usual.

Then there is a phone call. A police officer is on the line. A customer has complained that the perky, beautiful 19 year-old blonde cashier Becky (Dreama Walker) has stolen some money from her purse while the customer bought food. The cop tells the manager that he has the regional manager on the other line, and he's very concerned. But the police department is very busy, and could the manager search the girl's bag? They do. Nothing is found. Would the manager mind searching the girl's clothing? Which means she must undress. Becky and the manager object at first, but are soon pressured by the officer that he's done this before, and it will be easier for all if they comply.

She strips to her underwear. She's clean. The officer on the line says the girl will need to remove EVERYTHING. This doesn't seem like normal police procedure, the manager says, but she is soon pressured to continue, as is the cashier. Becky is presently standing nude in the manager's office and we are only 20 minutes into the movie. Over an hour remains. How much farther could this possibly go?

A lot farther, it turns out. I won't spoil, since this film should be seen fresh-- but crimes much worse than theft are committed, all under the guise of legitimacy. COMPLIANCE makes you squirm in your seat the way poor Becky-- clad for most of the rest of the film in either only an apron or nothing at all-- squirms under the scrutiny of her manager and the unseen (until Act II) Officer Dennings.

By now this has gone WAY beyond just sounding fishy to you; no doubt you're thinking this story idea is bullshit, that no person would take such ridiculous orders over the telephone. Well, believe it or not, this story is dramatized from actual recent events (the film tells you this up front so you won't walk out in disbelief) in which the caller got away with this type of thing no less than 70 TIMES. Do some research and you'll find that all the craziest, most unbelievable stuff in COMPLIANCE is 100% true, and the few events the film DID change were to make the story MORE PLAUSBILE, since the full truth is actually less believable than fiction.

Ann Dowd nails her role as the frazzled, painfully uncool restaurant manager Sandra, without ever delving into cliché, and actually makes you understand how somebody might go along with this lunacy. As Officer Dennings, Pat Healy (who did great work in the indie haunted hotel thriller THE INNKEEPERS) is eerie, menacing, manipulative, and even occasionally comical, especially when he finally turns up on screen about 30 minutes in.

Dreama Walker's performance as victim Becky is excellent--your heart breaks for her-- but what is more intriguing is how director Craig Zobel chooses to linger on her nudity and humiliation. It's not gratuitous, but the camera does invite you to ogle Becky in an almost uncomfortable way, as if daring the viewer to join the caller in getting some sick enjoyment (either sexual or power-oriented) out of it. Even the very casting of the gorgeous Dreama Walker gives the character a sassier, sexier vibe than if they'd cast a more innocent true ingenue (which is closer to her real-life counterpart)-- Becky early on is shown to be a flirt and a bit of a party girl, which produces more conflicting emotion than if she were simply a pure, never-been-kissed type. There is no screaming, tearful breakdown moment for Becky, but a more tragic, silent and gradual breaking down of her defenses. You can even spot the subtle, devastating moment when her character wordlessly throws in the towel.

Uncomfortable but gripping, this film is one of 2012's best indies. Don't read up on it too much if you want the best experience. B+.