Review of Compliance (2012) by Mirlena G — 11 Jan 2013

Inspired by true events, this harrowing dramatization of a supposed theft in a fast food joint that becomes something of a nightmare for the young female cashier and her dealings with her boss and a man on the phone who claims to be a cop.

Despite its unnerving scenes, this is really a thinly disguised commentary on our out-of-control surveillance state and the complete erosion of the 4th amendment to the Constitution. Writer-director Craig Zobel does a fabulous job of maintaining tension while also having us think about the repercussions; Ann Dowd and Dreama Walker were both terrific.