Stop-Loss [DVD]

By Clint Morris

Some films make you laugh. Some films make you cry. Some films make you cower under your seat. ”Stop-Loss” will make you mad – fists-clenched fuming! If you’re not envisioning a certain President’s head-on-a-stick by the end of the film, you’re somehow related to his tribe

As if guided by Oliver Stone, Kimberly Peirce has used the cinematic medium as a chance to rip-into both George W. Bush and his incomprehensible War. The film fixes on those young soldiers that, upon serving their country in Iraq for some time, are forced back into enemy territory for another service of duty. Most, as you can understand, aren’t doing a jig about returning to the battle fields – and some even flee the country so they don’t have to.

Decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) makes a distinguished return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. But the homecoming rapidly turns unpleasant, as each of the soldiers struggles to mix back into society. Tommy (Joseph Gordon Levitt) can’t lay off the booze, and Steve (Channing Tatum) roughs up his fiancée. Brandon is eager to put the war behind him, but that dream quickly fizzles when he learns that he has been “stop-lossed,” or ordered back for another, involuntary tour of duty.
With the aid of Steve’s fiancée (Abbie Cornish), Brandon leaves town – determined to either talk a senator into freeing him of his commitment to the war, or if that doesn’t work, leaving the country altogether.

Yes, I suppose you can say these men knew what they were getting into when they signed up to be a soldier. But did they really? And do they know who their enemy actually is this time? – Whatever the case its law that if they’ve asked to serve again in the same War, they must. What Peirce’s film does is show us why a lot of these guys don’t want to go back – and it isn’t just because of the physical wounds they’ve already picked up, but the emotional scarring that their first term has left them.

Its gut-wrenching stuff to hear some of these boys, as good as just off the bus from their first call of duty, required back at work. Having to say goodbye to their loved ones, home, and, predominantly, serene tranquilly – it isn’t an easy thing to watch, let alone live through (I imagine).

Peirce’s film doesn’t exactly examine both sides of the coin – she’s pretty much anti-Government – but then, what does it matter? She has a very valid point to make. This is what’s happening (In some respects, it’s like living through Vietnam again with young men drafted into a war that they didn’t want to fight), and if you’ve got a heart, you can understand the sadness of all this – these guys have been through hell, the last thing they wanted was to return. The filmmaker lays it out thick. And it gets through. It’s a very effective message.

Accompanying Peice’s slick direction and Chris Menges’ lavish cinematography are some bravura performances by some of today’s best young actors. Ryan Phillippe (
Crash”), in the main role, is an absolute knockout. You’ll root for him every step of the way. As Michelle, Abbie Cornish (“Candy”) is equally stupendous – and what’s amazing is how authentic her Texan accent is; not bad for a little Aussie girl! In addition, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ciaran Hinds provide solid support. It’s a well-cast film to say the least.

It does have you picking a side, but makes some valid points leading up to it. “Stop Loss” is one of the best films you’re likely to see this year – and one of the most important films you’re ever likely to see.

DVD EXTRAS
Deleted scenes, a Making-of featurette, an on-set featurette and an interesting commentary from director Kimberly Peirce and co-writer Mark Richard.