Film Fest 919: The Inspection Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Film Fest 919 Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

The Inspection is a film based on the true story of writer/director Elegance Bratton and his personal journey of change and self-discovery while defying the odds and taking charge of one’s lot in life. Unfortunately, the film is rather conventional in structure with an ending that could be seen from a mile away. In spire of this, aided by a short running time around the 90-minute mark, the film keeps a brisk pace and maintains audience interest throughout.

The film follows a young man named Ellis French (Pope), as he struggles to eke his way through life. Looking to turn his life around, he decides that he wants to be a marine but his cold mother Inez (Union) is unimpressed and not supportive of that dream. Cleaning himself off, Ellis headed off to boot camp ran by a man named Laws (Woodbine). But as Ellis begins his journey to become a marine, some of the other recruits become suspicious of his sexual preferences, this immediately puts a massive target on his back as he received plenty of abuse. But his goal of becoming a marine and his determination to rise above the opposers who would see him fail, his mother included, continued to drive him, resulting in one of the more inspiring stories on screen this year. At the end of the day, the cast is solid all around with Woodbine and Union doing some impressive work but ultimately, Pope is an absolute revelation with a truly breakout performance that single-handedly carries the film in spite of its issues.

The feature directorial debut of Bratton, his direction was solid and along with his perfectly acceptable screenplay made for an adequate if not unremarkable effort. However, Pope and the film’s tight editing are the real stars of the show. The Inspection, if left in other hands, could’ve easily some embellished tale that went on much longer than it needed to be thus losing sight of the story at its core. The shorter running time just allows for a more lean and focused narrative. Meanwhile, the cinematography wasn’t anything outstanding.

In the end, The Inspection may follow a familiar formula that may not break the mold but its story is real and as fast paced and it is inspiring and more than passes the inspection.

(original review)

still courtesy of levelFilm

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Russell Miller

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