7/10Stop-Loss is
a passionate indictment of an unfair method of recycling US troops
into the Iraq war. It’s also a disturbing study of how traumatic
war time experiences play on the minds of the returned soldiers,
affecting their adjustment back into normal society; with special
regard to relationships of friends and loved ones. Some problems
are long term and serious even to suicide. In this sense Stop-Loss
is as much an anti war film in its intent as All Quiet On
The Western Front or Paths of Glory.
“Stop-Loss” means the retention of soldiers
in the US military service beyond their expected term. It uses
a loophole in military contracts to prohibit soldiers retiring
once their required term of service is completed, widely know
as the "backdoor draft". The policy has affected an
estimated 80,000 American service men and women, causing some
to try and escape the second term of duty by defecting to Canada
or Mexico, where they have to find new identities and cannot return
home.
Staff Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) and Sgt.
Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum) with their buddies return as war
heroes to their home town of Brazos in Texas after a harrowing
stint in Iraq where everyone is armed and your enemy. They’re
welcomed by a homecoming parade and speeches. Now Brandon and
Steve wish to put the war behind and settle down to civilian life.
Friends and family are sympathetic especially Michelle (Abbie
Cornish), Steve’s fiancee and longtime friend of Brandon.
Trailer for the film
Unfortunately for the group of soldiers, the aftermath of their
war experiences still haunt them, they get into drunken brawls,
marriages get shaky, and friendships start to unravel. Brandon
the squad leader tries to hold them together, but unexpectedly
he’s called up to return to Iraq under the Stop-Loss policy.
Shocked and unable to comprehend why after his term of service
he’s being sent back to the horrors of Iraq, Brandon refuses
the order and goes AWOL; although Steve is recruited and agrees
to serve again. So Brandon begins a journey of escape across Texas
aided by Michelle. Steve pursues hoping to change Brandon’s
mind.
The movie opens with a wallop using some exceedingly
realistic scenes of street fighting in Iraq (actually filmed in
Marrakesh), the horrors of close combat in confined areas are
clearly depicted. Interspersed are some video music clips which
come with the set as it’s an MTV film production. The homecoming
parade is well sketched and the presentation of medals by a Senator
who later wants nothing to do with a hero who has gone AWOL. Perhaps
most telling is the fugitive’s trek across grotsville parts
of Texas all looking like trailer town territory, as indeed it
did in No Country for Old Men. Hardly a ringing endorsement
for local tourism.
Award winning writer/director Kimberly Peirce (Boys
Don’t Cry) examines the effects of Stop-Loss on the
returned service people. It’s supposed to be used only in
time of war if the President needed to retain troops to defend
the country. The film condemns the system where war weary soldiers
are being sent back for second and third terms in deadly combat;
with many Stop-Loss victims opting to do jail time, or go AWOL
rather than be shipped back to Iraq. These are often heroic soldiers
who just simply can’t face a futher unknown number of years
in the killing zone. A powerful scene takes place in the amputee
ward in a hospital for the wounded, as is the scene with wedding
presents being shot up leading to a tragic consequence.
The camerawork by accomplished cinematographer Chris
Menges is of the jittery MTV style using quickly cut scenes and
many big close-ups. In context it works, especially in the action
sequences. Dialogue is pithy and concise. Performances especially
by Ryan Phillippe (Flags Of Our Fathers) are certainly
compelling and attractive Abbie Cornish (Elizabeth: The Golden
Age) is no exception. Stop-Loss, despite its confronting
subject deserves to be seen, proving again Kimberly Peirce is
an impressive talent.
7/10
Stop-Loss is
a passionate indictment of an unfair method of recycling US troops
into the Iraq war. It’s also a disturbing study of how traumatic
war time experiences play on the minds of the returned soldiers,
affecting their adjustment back into normal society; with special
regard to relationships of friends and loved ones. Some problems
are long term and serious even to suicide. In this sense Stop-Loss
is as much an anti war film in its intent as All Quiet On
The Western Front or Paths of Glory.