Review of The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015) by Steve S — 06 Jul 2015

DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN - My Review of THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT (4 Stars).

Having worked on a clinical study, I came to THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT, a searing, powerful, difficult accounting of a 1971 trial that pushed the boundaries of research, with great anticipation. Certain studies, such as the famous Milgram Experiment of 1961 in which participants willingly agreed to inflict electric shocks on other participants (although no pain was administered), brought to light the ethics of causing physical and psychological harm. THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT fully immerses its audience into a study fraught with such questionable tactics.

Writer Tim Talbott (CHICAGO FIRE, THE LATHER EFFECT) and director Kyle Patrick Alvarez (C.O.G., EASIER WITH PRACTICE) forcefully yet nimbly tell the story of Dr. Philip Zimbardo (Billy Crudup), a psychology professor at Stanford University who wanted to study the oppressive nature of incarceration on volunteers chosen to be either guards or prisoners. Setting up shop in a faculty office space on campus, the participants were paid $15/day for what was scheduled to be a 2 week experiment. Given very few instructions, the role playing began under the watchful eyes of Zimbardo and his staff. Thinking they were in for an easy paid vacation, things start off humorously until tensions begin to rise to the surface.

These early scenes are masterfully directed, with Alvarez and his very talented cinematographer, Jas Shelton, presenting one clinical, clean image after another to suggest a sense of emotional detachment. We, the audience, become observers as objective as the investigators, making the breaking point in the story that much more shocking and effective. When things erupt, it's volcanic and punishing. Some may feel exhausted by the claustrophobic and relentlessly brutal tone, but if you can handle the tension, you may experience, like I did, something richly rewarding.

The great cast is stuffed with talent and feels like "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" exploded all over it. First, let's start with Billy Crudup, who makes every decision his character makes, good and bad, simultaneously agonizing and thrilling to watch. His character could easily have slipped into the villain role had he not shown us his passion for the benefits of his work despite the obviously dodgy methods. Standing out next to him is his ALMOST FAMOUS co-star, Michael Angarano, who nearly steals the film as a guard nicknamed John Wayne. He takes his role a little too seriously as he instantly becomes drunk with power and give every scene he's in a little kick. Ezra Miller (PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN), who keeps going from strength to strength, gives a searing performance as a very vocal inmate who quickly comes to understand the sadistic nature of the study. You feel this dawning realization step by step, right there with him as he fights back with every dignity-shattering suckerpunch. His PERKS co-star (See what I mean? Everyone knew each other somehow) Johnny Simmons, shows terrific vulnerability as another disillusioned inmate. I was also pleased to see James Frecheville, an up and coming Aussie actor who has been on my radar with great performances in ANIMAL KINGDOM and THE DROP, excel with his turn as a naive guard who doesn't quite know how to turn on the brute force. Throw in actors from ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL, MUD, IT FOLLOWS, and JUNO and you just may find yourself in indie heaven.

This is not your typical fun night out at the movies. At the beginning of each day of the story, a title card appears, and the audience I saw the movie with would groan, not out of boredom, but because they were feeling every visceral, gut-wrenching moment. Escapist entertainment this is not. It reminded me of 70s renegade films like DOG DAY AFTERNOON with its grip on the audience and close adhesion to its characters. A little coda at the end perfectly uses recreated interviews with the subjects post-study, and their reflections give the film a much-needed exhale. Because, yes, there are times you may forget to breathe. Regardless, you may walk away wondering what you would have done in this situation. The film seems to say that there's such a thin line that keeps most of us from crossing over into very dark territory. Examining that side of yourself may be scary and unpleasant, but this tough, harsh, beautifully made film may just make that exploration worth it. Check your night sticks at the door.

THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT opens July 17th. It deservedly won both the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.