In theaters March 28th 2008

graphic violence and pervasive language
Run Time: 112
Matt's rating - 3.75 out of 5

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Review by Matt Mungle

  Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) has done his tour of Iraq and returned as a decorated war hero. He is ready to kick back in his small Texas hometown and get on with his life. He has done his part and done it well. Returning with him are his best friends and war- mates Shriver (Channing Tatum) and Burgess (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Like King, Shriver is done serving but Burgess has one tour left. When King goes in to sign his release papers he finds that good old Uncle Sammy has other plans. King has been stop-lossed. He has been summoned back to another tour in Afghanistan regardless of what his original contract stated. The President has trump power making him able to call anyone back into duty he chooses. Sort of a back door draft if you will. King must now fight the system as hard as he fought the enemy and figure out how to get out of this unfair political loophole. All the while trying to hold together his buddies who have been physically and mentally wrecked by the things they had to see and do overseas.

  Though not a grand film, it is a grand story. Peirce, who has a brother currently serving in the war, gathered a lot of information by chatting with those in the military, and it was through these conversations she first heard of the Stop Loss issue. Like her prior film Boys Don't Cry Peirce directs a film streaming with undertones of anger and tension. She has a knack of showing the dark side of events and how they impact the innocent. This film also show the mental and physical elements of war that the media often withhold.

The one thing that bothered me about this film was the horrible Texas accents. Phillippe does an amazing job with his character as long as he keeps his mouth shut. Once he talks it all goes south. Also, the script has Brandon and Shriver growing up in the same small Texas town, yet Shriver has no accent at all. This small detail was distracting but will probably not be noticed by those in the other 49 states. Another strong performance is brought by the only dominant female character Michelle played by Abbie Cornish. This Australian plays small town Texan convincingly and brings a strong supporting role.

  Stop Loss is rated R for graphic violence and pervasive language. The violence takes place mainly in the war scenes though there are a few scuffles once the guys return to the states. The language is what you would expect from angry young men and is prevalent throughout. Again, this is not an anti-war film. If anything it is as positive a spin on serving to come out in sometime. But there is a terrible situation taking place with young men and women and this film boldly tells it story. No matter what side you are on, this film will move you to learn more. I give it a solid 3.75 out of 5. It surprised me and delivered the unexpected.