Review of The Experiment (2010) by Anne T — 01 May 2011

The Brody versus Whittaker Experiment, in this acceptable Prison style drama.

This is sort of a remake of Das Experiment, but also is totally new. It is a good, strong watch, held up by it's performers and the idea. Adrien Brody (The Pianist) and Forrest Whittaker both star and fight one another as the experiment they are in loses control.

Basically, around 15 people volunteer for a well paid experiment. When they arrive it turns out to be a prison experiment, complete with 2 sides and strict rules, that must be followed â" in order for all to pass and be paid. Needless to say, without spoiling, that the guards let the power go to their heads and a battle breaks loose.

The teams are then led by the 2 main actors. Whittaker basically is in his element as Prison guard leader, 'hard' for strict enforcement literally. He is opposed by Brody, who heads up the prisoner half, fighting against Whittaker's power-trip. Both are convincing and impressive.

It is quite simple really, in execution which is a shame as both the setting and concept are open for anything happens, and arguably much more. In this tribal battle scenario, showcasing the human behaviour spectrum â" it focuses mostly on the negative, and misses vital opportunities to be anything but a 2 man dark battle. The characters aren't that deep (or likeable) and the stars both help and spoil what is a solid film. Brody is never easy on the eye and the lazy eyed Whittaker totally over-acts emotion and his attempts at intensity almost come across as weird and strange.

Overall, a dramatic and entertaining watch, even if it is a bit one dimensional (in that a sick prison guard turns bully). It's funny that after 40 minutes you almost forget it is an experiment, and not a prison film. If you want a more harsher prison encounter watch the epic TV series OZ instead.