Review of The Experiment (2010) by Jim G — 09 Jan 2011

This film is an intense portrayal of the human instinct to dominate and control. The opening images of animals and insects in conflict (rams butting heads, a praying mantis consuming a fly, even microorganisms devouring each other) signal the thematic connection to the conflict that plays out in this filmâ"research subjects randomly assigned to roles as prisoners and guards and left to their own devices.

The guards are given only a set of five rules they are instructed to enforce, and they are foolishly advised to avoid the use of violence. The devolution of order into chaos is reminiscent of âThe Lord of the Fliesâ? (and thereâ(TM)s even a character who resembles the pathetic Piggyâ"and shares his unfortunate fate).

But the film itself is a bit too facile and looseâ"thereâ(TM)s a good deal of action but little in the way of character development, and the ending arrives violently and abruptly. Even the presence of two Best Actor Oscar winners, Brody and Whitaker, cannot rescue this film from its mediocrity.