Writer: Paul Scheuring
Starring: Adrien Brody, Forest Whitaker, Cam Gigandet, Clifton Collins Jr, Ethan Cohn, Fisher Stevens, Travis Fimmel, Maggie Grace
Story 26 men are chosen to participate in the roles of guards and prisoners in a psychological study, they have fourteen days to play out the scenario.
Travis (Brody) recently released from his job is one of these candidates. Travis meets a new girl in Bay (Grace) before he starts and uses her memory to keep him sane as one of the prisoners. One man Travis befriends is Benjy (Cohn) a graphic novelist is one of his cellmates’ who struggles to make it without his insulin.
On the guards side we have Barris (Whitaker) who starts of on the nervous side but soon starts leading the guards. Chase (Gigandet) takes things to a new level but some of the other guards think things go to far. When violence is banned can the guys make it through the time following the rules.
There are five simple rules to follow:
1. The prisoners must clean their plates.
2. The prisoners will only speak when spoken too.
3. The prisoners will have three meals a day
4. The prisoners will have 30mintues rec time.
5. Nothing from the outside world will be bought in
Verdict This psychological thriller is one that you will want to watch to see what will happen at the end and find out what the point in the experiment is. Based on a true story of an experiment previous conducted it shows the levels man can be pushed too. With two Oscar winners in Whitaker and Brody you would be expect a top movie unfortunately you don’t get one. Yes it is thrilling but what happens in the prison isn’t original. The ending has its nice touches seeing how full of regret for their action the men are.
Story Mark 7/10 Good idea but I think it would take a bit longer for the men to crack
Action Mark 7/10 Mostly of tension build to once last action chase and brawl nothing to special though.
Star Performances Forest Whitaker does well transforming his character as the movie unfolds
Favourite Character Benjy he makes it feel like an adventure but his innocence is soon destroyed
Best Part The idea of the movie is best part
Worst Part The outcome of the movie idea used badly
My Rating 62%