Movie Review: ‘The Inspection Passes Muster As Stellar Drama

Alice French (excellent Jeremy Pope) is a young homeless gay drug addict. When he knocks on the door of his mother's jailer (an unnamed Gabrielle Union, also a producer), he pretends to be attacked. - Do you have any problems? he asked, lighting a cigarette. He puts a newspaper down for her to sit on, no doubt afraid of bed bugs. You know, the history between these two is terrible. Ellis, 25, says he's enlisting in the Marine Corps, which is at least one sign he knows he needs to change his life. He has never gotten over the fact that his son is gay and rejects his chance to become a Marine.

Known to her drill instructors and other recruits as "French", French initially fits in relatively well in Perris Island, South Carolina, although she is forced to pretend that her mother is her "daughter" when she leave a voice mail before others. . . But an event in his soul that he cannot control marks him as gay and he is cast out and forced to stay where he is. The leader of his group, Harvey (McCall Lombardi, "American Cutie") despises the French language and uses homophobic slurs against him. In a gruesome scene, a French officer is brutally beaten by his fellow soldiers.

The French choose any punishment to avoid deportation. Ironically, tough, upscale drill instructor Lowes (Bokeem Woodbine, staff member Louis Gossett Jr.) isn't too worried when he finds out that Frans is gay. Lowes treats all new recruits like it's his job to keep them out of the Marine Corps.

Among the things you'll notice about The Inspection is the excellence of the cast and the dignity the Pope shows to the French, no matter how low he humbles himself, as well as the impressionistic sound design and music of the experimental pop group Animal Kollektief . We hear drums and trumpets; sounds come and go.

"Overview" also gives us some "metal shell" moments, like the noise that turns recruits into bald-headed twins. One of the recruits is a Muslim named Ismail (Eman Esfandi), who contacts other defeated Frenchmen until the Frenchman is revealed as gay. Another drill instructor, Rosales (another Raul Castillo), speaks French, which the French like but misinterpret. At a movie night, Laws shows recruits his favorite film, the 2005 Gulf War drama The Marines. If you see the war paint on Francis' face, there is a big line in the law. Woodbine takes the opportunity to try Gossett, Clint Eastwood and the aforementioned R. Lee Ermey at the top, and it's a joy to watch.

"Overview" does not give unequivocal answers to its heroes. French invites his mother to prom. But things don't go as you expect. It doesn't have to end in hugs. Bratton is currently working on the drama Hellslayer, about the First World War military unit known as the Harlem Hellfighters, with John Baptiste as a soldier and James Reese, a jazz pioneer in Europe. After validation I want to see the next attempt as well. But now I happily recommend The Review and look forward to seeing Pope, Union, Woodbine and Castillo at the awards this year.

MPAA Rating: R (for profanity, sexual content, some nudity and violence)

How to watch: In theaters now