Compliance

Much like The Imposter, Compliance is a film that will have you struggling to comprehend mankind’s lack of nous and brainpower. Based on a true story, Craig Zobel’s film tells of a situation where a manager of a fast food restaurant was duped into believing she was speaking to a police officer on the telephone and subsequently went on to treat one of her employees in a manner which you have you shouting in disbelief at the screen the more preposterous things get. However, unlike Bart Layton’s excellent quasi-documentary this is shown as a straight dramatisation. Therefore, despite the end of the film stating that the events depicted happened on over 70 other occasions, this is badly lacking context. The absence of analysis as to why people will respond to ludicrous orders to people in authority means the film plays a frustratingly straight bat throughout and feels uncomfortably exploitative in parts. However, there was no need for the audience at Sundance to catcall this and walk out. Though Zobel’s film isn’t great, is it his fault some people are so gullible they will act in such an injudicious way? Plus, if this film highlights the dangers of such prank calls, isn’t that a good thing? Rating: 6/10.