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Stop-Loss, 2008

Stop-Loss

English

USA

Rating:6.5
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Profile of Stop-Loss

Stop-Loss can be described as sincere, thought provoking, and bleak. The plot revolves around homecoming, wartime life, and soldiers. The main genre is drama. In approach, Stop-Loss is serious and realistic. It is located in Texas. It takes place during the Gulf War and in contemporary times. Stop-Loss has received attention for being an award winner. Note that it involves strong violent content and profanity.

Summary of Stop-Loss

Director Kimberly Peirce (BOYS DON'T CRY) tackles another controversial topic with STOP-LOSS, the story of a U.S. soldier forced back into battle. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) has just returned to Texas after a harrowing final tour in Iraq. He's accompanied by the remaining men from his unit, all of whom are more than a little shell-shocked. Welcomed home as a hero, Brandon is awarded a Purple Heart by a visiting state senator. But the homecoming quickly turns sour, as each of the soldiers struggles to assimilate 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. Stunned by the news, he goes AWOL and forms a plan to get help from the senator who so recently honored him. He hits the road for D.C., all the while trying to cope with PTSD and battle flashbacks. Torn between his fierce patriotism and what he believes to be outright betrayal by the U.S. Army, he doesn't know where to turn or what to do. He is ultimately faced with the harshest of choices: Iraq, or a life in exile.

There are now dozens of films that grapple with the war in Iraq, but STOP-LOSS is unique in its attempt to reach out to a younger audience. Produced by MTV, the film features a striking young cast and a thumping hip-hop soundtrack. There are many commendable performances, most notably from Phillippe and Levitt. Despite the occasional melodrama of some of the scenes, Peirce pulls no punches, and really hammers home the tragic exploitation of American troops.

Details

Language: English
Country: USA
Release date: 13 March 2008
Runtime: 112 min

Cast and Crew

Ryan Phillippe as SSgt. Brandon King in Stop-Loss
Ryan Phillippe

as SSgt. Brandon King

Abbie Cornish as Michelle in Stop-Loss
Abbie Cornish

as Michelle

Channing Tatum as Sgt. Steve Shriver in Stop-Loss
Channing Tatum

as Sgt. Steve Shriver

Photos

Stop-Loss (2008)
Stop-Loss (2008)

Clips

Stop-Loss
Stop-Loss: Home Video
Stop-Loss
Stop-Loss: Official Trailer
Stop-Loss
Stop-Loss: Mexico
Stop-Loss
Stop-Loss: Red White And Blue

Critics Reviews

Time
A relentlessly grim film.
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  • by: Richard Schickel
TV Guide
It's a richly textured, psychologically acute film that takes an unblinking look at the tattered life of the returning soldier, and it's boosted by two powerful performances from Phillippe and the increasingly impressive Tatum, a former underwear...
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  • by: Ken Fox

Users Reviews

It's real earnest. I'm completely sympathetic to it's viewpoint. It's well-made. And it's gonna have do something more to ever get me to watch it again. Points for trying real hard.
  • 07.February.2011
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  • by: imjm68
  • imjm68 rated this movie0/10
This movie was a good movie. Slow at some parts put eventually picked up. The movie would have been rated more had I not gone in with so many expectations. I would buy this movie when it comes out on DVD.
  • 19.October.2010
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  • by: Erica
  • Erica rated this movie0/10
Likely to see
Not for me

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