Compliance (film)

Last updated
Compliance
Compliance Movie Poster.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Craig Zobel
Written byCraig Zobel
Produced byCraig Zobel
Sophia Lin
Theo Sena
Lisa Muskat
Tyler Davidson
Starring
CinematographyAdam Stone
Edited byJane Rizzo
Music by Heather McIntosh
Production
companies
Distributed by Magnolia Pictures
Release dates
  • January 21, 2012 (2012-01-21)(Sundance)
  • August 17, 2012 (2012-08-17)
Running time
90 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$592,116 [2]

Compliance is a 2012 American thriller film written and directed by Craig Zobel and starring Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, Pat Healy, and Bill Camp. The plot of the movie is closely based upon an actual strip search phone call scam that took place in Mount Washington, Kentucky in 2004. In both the film and the real-life incident, a caller posing as a police officer convinced a restaurant manager and others to carry out unlawful and intrusive procedures on an innocent employee. [3]

Contents

Compliance had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 and was distributed by Magnolia Pictures for its general release on August 17, 2012. Dowd's performance as Sandra, the manager, won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Plot

Sandra, manager of a ChickWich fast food restaurant, receives a call from someone identifying himself as Officer Daniels. He claims to be in contact with the regional manager about a customer who had money allegedly stolen by an employee that day. Daniels says that he will remain on the phone while Sandra detains the employee until the police arrive. Sandra identifies Becky as the suspect based on the description; Daniels confirms the name.

Sandra brings Becky to the restaurant office. Becky denies the theft. At Daniels' behest, Sandra searches Becky's pockets and purse and finds nothing. Telling her that the alternative is to have Becky go to jail, Daniels has her strip-search Becky in the presence of another employee, Marti. Daniels tells Sandra that he and other officers are searching Becky's home on suspicion that her brother is involved in drugs, and that Becky may be involved. He has Sandra put Becky's clothes into a bag and take it to her car for inspection by the police.

Sandra insists she resume managing the restaurant as it is busy. After Daniels stipulates that a male employee watch Becky for "security reasons", another employee, Kevin, is brought in, but questions Daniels' instructions and leaves. Sandra's fiancé Van takes over; under pressure from Daniels over the beers he drank before driving to the restaurant, he has Becky perform nude jumping jacks, ostensibly to shake loose any contraband concealed in her body. After Becky protests, Daniels has Van spank her. Eventually, Becky is coerced into performing oral sex on Van. Van leaves with guilt and is replaced by the custodian, Harold, who is outraged by Daniels' instructions. Harold tells Sandra about Daniels' orders; she calls the regional manager, who tells her he has no idea about any investigation.

The police discover that a similar incident happened elsewhere. Daniels is identified by closed circuit recordings and arrested; he is a family man working as a telemarketer. Becky meets an attorney to discuss options for suing Sandra. Sandra, now unemployed and no longer seeing Van, tells a journalist she is a blameless victim.

Cast

Star Ann Dowd and director Craig Zobel promoting the film at the 2012 Deauville American Film Festival. Ann Dowd Craig Zobel.jpg
Star Ann Dowd and director Craig Zobel promoting the film at the 2012 Deauville American Film Festival.

Release

Compliance premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in January. [4] The film received a limited release in the United States beginning August 17, 2012. It was released by Soda Pictures in the UK and Ireland on March 22, 2013.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews and Dowd's performance as the manipulated restaurant manager was met with critical acclaim, earning her the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress. [5] [6] The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an 89% approval rating with an average rating of 7.5/10 based on 140 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Anchored by smart, sensitive direction and strong performances, Compliance is a ripped-from-the-headlines thriller that's equal parts gripping and disturbing." [7] On Metacritic, it has a score of 68 out of 100 based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [8]

At the premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, Compliance was met with controversy, as the audience's response included several walkouts and shouting matches during the film's question and answer session. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>One Hour Photo</i> 2002 film by Mark Romanek

One Hour Photo is a 2002 American psychological thriller film written and directed by Mark Romanek and starring Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Gary Cole, and Eriq La Salle. The film was produced by Catch 23 Entertainment, Killer Films, and John Wells Productions and released by Fox Searchlight Pictures. The film stars Williams as a photo technician who develops an unhealthy obsession with a family to whom he has long provided services.

<i>Clerks II</i> 2006 American comedy film directed by Kevin Smith

Clerks II is a 2006 American black comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, the sequel to his 1994 film Clerks, and his sixth feature film to be set in the View Askewniverse. The film stars Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, Trevor Fehrman, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Jason Mewes, and Smith, and picks up with the original characters from Clerks: Dante Hicks, Randal Graves and Jay and Silent Bob ten years after the events of the first film. Unlike the first film, which was shot in black and white, this film was shot mostly in color.

<i>The Woodsman</i> (film) 2004 film by Nicole Kassell

The Woodsman is a 2004 American drama film directed by Nicole Kassell in her feature directorial debut, from a screenplay by Kassell and Steven Fechter, and based on the play of the same name by Fechter. Starring Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, the film follows a convicted child molester who must adjust to life after being released from prison. The title of the film refers to the woodsman from the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, who kills the wolf to save the titular child.

The strip search phone call scam was a series of incidents, mostly occurring in rural areas of the United States, that extended over a period of at least ten years, starting in 1994. The incidents involved a man calling a restaurant or grocery store, claiming to be a police officer, and then convincing managers to conduct strip searches of employees, and to perform other bizarre and humiliating acts on behalf of "the police". The calls were most often made to fast-food restaurants in small towns.

<i>Waitress</i> (film) 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly

Waitress is a 2007 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, starring Keri Russell as a young woman trapped in a small town and an abusive marriage, who faces an unwanted pregnancy while working as a waitress. The film premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on May 2, 2007, by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Shelly's supporting role is her final film appearance before her death. In 2015, Waitress was adapted into a Tony-nominated musical of the same name.

<i>Life Support</i> (film) 2007 made-for-TV drama film directed by Nelson George

Life Support is a 2007 American drama television film directed by Nelson George and starring Queen Latifah. It is loosely based on the real-life story of Ana Wallace, an HIV-positive woman.

<i>King of California</i> 2007 film by Mike Cahill

King of California is a 2007 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Mike Cahill, in his debut as a screenwriter and director. It premiered January 24, 2007 at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and opened in limited release in North America on September 14, 2007. It stars Michael Douglas as a mentally ill man who thinks he has discovered buried treasure, and Evan Rachel Wood as his weary daughter.

<i>The Art of Getting By</i> 2011 American film

The Art of Getting By is a 2011 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, Elizabeth Reaser, Sam Robards, Rita Wilson and Blair Underwood. It is the first feature by writer-director Gavin Wiesen. The film premiered under the title Homework at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

<i>The Son of No One</i> 2011 film

The Son of No One is a 2011 American crime thriller film written by Dito Montiel based on a book of the same name, written by Montiel. The film is Dito Montiel's third collaboration with actor Channing Tatum.

<i>Bachelorette</i> (film) 2012 American film

Bachelorette is a 2012 American comedy film written and directed by Leslye Headland, adapted from her play of the same name. It stars Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan and Isla Fisher as three troubled women who reunite for the wedding of a friend who was ridiculed in high school. The play which the film is based upon was originally written as one of Headland's cycle of "Seven Deadly Sins" plays.

<i>Mother of George</i> 2013 film

Mother of George is a 2013 drama film directed by Andrew Dosunmu and tells the story of a newly married Nigerian couple in Brooklyn who own and manage a small restaurant while struggling with fertility issues. The film was produced by Patrick S. Cunningham and Rhea Scott.

<i>Hellions</i> (film) 2015 Canadian film

Hellions is a 2015 Canadian horror film directed by Bruce McDonald, written by Pascal Trottier and starring Chloe Rose. The film was an official selection of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival lineup and also screened at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.

<i>The Free World</i> 2016 film

The Free World is a 2016 American drama film directed by Jason Lew. It was shown in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.

<i>Patti Cake$</i> 2017 film

Patti Cake$ is a 2017 American drama film directed by Geremy Jasper. It was screened in the US Dramatic Competition section of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. It was released on August 18, 2017, by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

<i>Nancy</i> (film) 2018 film

Nancy is a 2018 American mystery drama film written and directed by Christina Choe in her debut feature film. It stars Andrea Riseborough, J. Smith-Cameron, Ann Dowd, John Leguizamo, and Steve Buscemi. It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2018. It was released on June 8, 2018, by Samuel Goldwyn Films.

<i>Never Goin Back</i> 2018 American stoner comedy film

Never Goin' Back is a 2018 American stoner comedy written, directed, and edited by Augustine Frizzell.

<i>Her Smell</i> 2018 film directed by Alex Ross Perry

Her Smell is a 2018 American drama film written, co-produced and directed by Alex Ross Perry. It stars Elisabeth Moss, Cara Delevingne, Dan Stevens, Agyness Deyn, Gayle Rankin, Ashley Benson, Dylan Gelula, Eka Darville and Lindsay Burdge and follows Moss as fictional rock star Becky Something, whose band experiences brief fame but is broken up by her self-destructive behavior.

<i>The Poison Rose</i> 2019 American thriller film by George Gallo and Francesco Cinquemani

The Poison Rose is a 2019 American thriller film starring John Travolta and Morgan Freeman. The film was directed by George Gallo and Francesco Cinquemani. It was written by Richard Salvatore, Francesco Cinquemani, and Luca Giliberto, based on Salvatore's novel of the same title. The film was released on May 24, 2019 by Lionsgate, and was panned by critics and audiences. The film was also a commercial failure, grossing only $323,754.

<i>Herself</i> (film) 2020 film

Herself is a 2020 drama film directed by Phyllida Lloyd, from a screenplay by Malcolm Campbell and Clare Dunne. The film stars Dunne, Harriet Walter and Conleth Hill.

<i>Gods Country</i> (2022 film) 2022 film directed by Julian Higgins

God's Country is a 2022 American thriller film starring Thandiwe Newton. It was directed by Julian Higgins, based on the short story "Winter Light" by James Lee Burke. The film had its premiere in the Premieres section at the 38th Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2022, and was theatrically released in United States on September 16, 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Compliance (15)". British Board of Film Classification . 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  2. ↑ Compliance at Box Office Mojo
  3. ↑ "Movie inspired by McDonald's strip-search hoax in Bullitt County prompts raves, walkouts". The Courier-Journal . August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  4. ↑ "2012 Sundance Film Festival Announces Films in Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, Next <=> and New Frontier". www.sundance.org. December 1, 2011. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  5. ↑ Rosen, Christopher. "National Board Of Review Winners: 'Zero Dark Thirty,' Bradley Cooper, Jessica Chastain". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  6. ↑ Lim, Dennis (May 4, 2012). "Royal Entrances For Budding Stars". New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  7. ↑ Compliance, on Rotten Tomatoes
  8. ↑ "Compliance Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  9. ↑ Miller, Daniel (January 21, 2012). "Sundance 2012: Screaming, Anger at Tension-Filled 'Compliance' Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.