What Do The Critics Say?

"A powerful film that doesn't pull punches, "Stop-Loss" is the first important film of 2008. The young cast is outstanding, led by Phillippe. After recent roles in "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Breach", Phillippe is emerging as one of the best actors of his generation. Visually, the film captures the bright sunshine of both Iraq and southern Texas, giving each location its own special look." Michael A Smith POP CULTURE REVIEWS "I found the subject to be really interesting and the opening war scene will blow you away. It is freaking intense as hell watching that scene in the alley. The film is directed by Kimberly Peirce, who directed the amazing film "Boys Don't Cry" staring Hilary Swank." Kevin McCarthy CBS RADIO "Ranks with Full Metal Jacket and Saving Private Ryan as one of the best wartime dramas. Stop-LossStop Loss would have been a great idea for a movie in any era. The war scenes are suspenseful. Political rhetoric, even the vulgar kind, comes in frustration so it plays real, not like a filmmaker's statement. Hey, if you just got home from a tour and heard they were sending you back, you might say, "Fuck the president" too." Fred Topel CAN MAGAZINE "Stop Loss takes some time out from the argument over the validity of the war to ask a question closer to home; whether the emotional battlefield America subjects its young soldiers to is actually worth it. Great performances from Phillippe and Gordon-Levitt in particular." Laura Bushell BBC "it’s forceful, effective, and alive, with the raw, mixed-up emotions produced by an endless war -- a time when the patriotism of military families is in danger of being exploited beyond endurance." David Denby NEW YORKER "The war in Iraq has itself become the realization of the shameful "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy (it's not just gays and lesbians that are being told to look the other way). Stop-Loss reveals just one ugly aspect of such insidiousness. "Boys Don’t Cry" writer, director, Kimberly Peirce roars back onto the screen with her first movie since that by now 1999 GLBT classic broke through the mainstream. Her new movie, the long awaited Stop-Loss is no less riveting and again explores a difficult subject: the war in Iraq, from a very humanistic viewpoint." Richard Knight WINDY CITY TIMES

"It is an ambitious film, trying, as it does to tackle all the problems of war at once, but it is emotionally powerful nonetheless. The film's characters are caught in a terrible, Kafkaesque Catch 22 situation. No matter which side of the coin comes up in this military coin toss, everybody loses. There is no exit, no escape. In the end, King makes his choice. It is a reasonable choice, given the options, but depressing, nonetheless. In the end, the only answer is to end this war as soon as possible." Robert Roten LARAMIE MOVIE SCOPE 'One of the few movies that understands the complexity of choosing military service and doesn't stereotype soldiers (as some movies have) as violence-prone brutes or flag-waving chumps." Sean Means SALT LAKE TRIBUNE "Contains a passionate desire to confront the injustices of the current political scene, something we could do with a lot more of." Tim Brayton ANTAGONY & ECSTASY "There's a keen and ugly sense of anguish to Stop-Loss, a caged sense of powerlessness beyond political outrage that makes this film far and away the most effective effort yet at capturing the frustration of the war in Iraq." Tom Long DETROIT NEWS "After 20 minutes, you're welded to the characters emotionally. Their loss is your loss. Stop Loss is a film about tragedy; individual and collective." Liz Braun JAM! MOVIES "Sheds light on a shabby military policy that treats vets of the Iraq war disgracefully." Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat SPIRITUALITY AND PRACTICE "Brilliantly observed and vividly shot. Built on a career-making performance by Ryan Phillippe." Roger Moore ORLANDO SENTINEL "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 model who has somehow turned into a fine actor. Peirce's script, cowritten by award-winning novelist Mark Richard (Fishboy, The Ice at the Bottom of the World), smacks of authenticity." Ken Fox TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE

The Inside Story "The retention of soldiers in the service beyond their expected term. Using a loophole in soldiers’ military contracts to prohibit servicemen and women from retiring once their required term of service is complete. Also widely known as a "Back Door Draft". Of the 650000 who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afganistan, 81000 were stop-lossed. But hang about! Didn't President George W Bush declare the war was over? He did. But it hasn't stopped the military from using a clause which is in every soldiers 'contact', enforcing the Presidents power to send troops back into active service in both Iraq and Afganistan. Initially, writer-director and 1999 dual (London & Stockholm) FIPRESCI Prize winner Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry") had seen the movie as a character piece in the style of such classic road movies as "The Last Detail" (1973) directed by 1968 Oscar winner Hal Ashby ("In the Heat of the Night"). But as she got deeper into the material, she was also affected by seminal war movies as varied as William Wyler's classic "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946); Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse, Now" (1979); Oliver Stone's "Platoon" (1986) & "Born on the 4th of July" (1989) and Hal Ashby's "Coming Home" (1978). These were all huge films in their days and not only received the highest accolades, but also the highest rewards. They were all Oscar winners! How did they fare on the big night? "Born on the 4th of July" starring Tom Cruise as real life Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic, won 2 Oscars; "Apocalypse, Now" starring Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen and Robert Duvall won 2 Oscars; "Coming Home" starring Jane Fonda and Jon Voight won 3 Oscars; "Platoon" starring Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger won 4 Oscars. And the classic "The Best Years of Our Lives"? Well it won a whopping 7 Oscars including: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Music. Kimberly Peirce's project took a more personal turn when her younger brother Brett, then eighteen, enlisted in the Army after the events of September 11th 2001. "I understood his desire to 'get the people who had done this', but the idea of my own brother carrying this out was devastating," Peirce says. "None of my friends or family knew anyone in the military. Now we were a military family. He joined the 10th Mountain Division attached to the 82nd Airborne. He prepared for war while we were fighting in Afghanistan and entered the war in Iraq in September 2003. I was concerned for his safety and worried about the emotional and spiritual toll this would take on him." It was because of her efforts to understand what her brother was going through that Pierce decided to make a documentary, "on our soldiers. I interviewed soldiers, asking them why they joined, what they experienced at war (killing, not killing, seeing their men killed and wounded), and what they experienced upon their return: specifically, how they struggled to re-assimilate into society." The research began to illuminate discontent among the soldiers about the war, what they were fighting for and the way it was being fought. "As a result," Peirce said, "an increasing number of servicemen were going AWOL. Kathie Dobie wrote an excellent piece about it in Harper’s magazine, "AWOL in America". We began searching these soldiers out and interviewing them on the run in America and those who had settled abroad." The turning point for Pierce's project came after her brother finished his leave from Iraq and returned to the conflict. Brett texted her the story of a friend, a decorated soldier who had done his time and was ready to go home to his wife and child when he was Stop-Lossed by the Army, "which meant that despite the fact that he’d completed his contract, the army was breaking that contract and sending him right back into the combat zone; against his will," she discovered. "So, I turned my research toward understanding what Stop-Loss was and how it was affecting the troops and their families. In military terms, 'Stop-Loss' means not letting a military member separate or retire once their required term of service is complete. Congress first gave Stop-Loss authority to the Department of Defense right after the draft ended. It was meant to be used in a time of war if the President needed to retain troops to defend the country." But the military didn’t use this authority until the Gulf War when President George H.W. Bush imposed Stop-Loss on virtually everyone in the military. "Recently, it was used again, at a time when the war was apparently over, and when enlistment rates were radically falling," says Peirce. During the writing of "Stop-Loss", both Peirce and co-writer Mark Richard (who plays the role of Pastor Colson in "Stop Loss"), continued to interview soldiers, incorporating their experiences and comments. "My brother (who had returned from Iraq and lived in upstate New York) and other soldiers we knew would look over the dialogue and scenes and make sure they were accurate from a soldier’s POV." Casting was a key component for Peirce and the filmmakers in telling the story. For the key role of the heroic, conflicted Staff Sgt Brandon King, Peirce was looking for someone who could express the strength and masculinity to lead men into and through battle and also possess the warmth and humor that is necessary to be at the center of these men’s lives. "It required someone who could depict the patriotism and innocence required to go to war on behalf of his country, but who was also introspective enough to question what he had done when he needed to question it," she noted. 2002 Satellite Special Achievement Award ("Gosford Park") and 2006 Screen Actors Guild Award ("Crash") winner Ryan Phillippe was cast in the pivotal role. "Ryan brought something unexpected to the part," Pierce affirmed. "Not only could he act it, but he seemed like Brandon." Phillippe (who like me, is a huge fan of the late, great Frank Sinatra) revealed "Stop-Loss" was the perfect melding of script and director. "I truly believe Kim Peirce to be an artist. If you look at her first film, she’s clearly talented. As for the script, I love reality-based material. This is not a true story, but many men have lived it and when a project is grounded by that kind of dramatic weight and truth, you feel convinced that you’re telling a story that needs to be told." Phillippe plunged into deep research as he prepared for the role as a staff sergeant serving in, Tikrit, Iraq. "You really want to make sure you know how to behave and appear like a soldier. I think you’re doing these men a service if you do your best to appear legitimate. It was very important for me, and for all the other actors, to look like the real deal. We were fortunate to have Jim Dever as our technical advisor." Dever, who retired from the service after twenty five years with the rank of Sgt Major, and who appears in the film as Captain Dever, worked with Phillippe on the film, "Flags Of Our Fathers". Phillippe was full of praise for Peirce. "I’ve had the opportunity to work with Altman, Eastwood and Ridley Scott, and I put her right up there with them. I think she’s maybe tougher than any of them and she’s a real artist." The character of Michele was inspired by real military wives Peirce interviewed. Two time Australian Film Institute Award winner Abbie Cornish, who received the 1999 AFI Young Actor's Award for "Wildside" and the 2004 AFI Best Actress for "Somersault" (the only Australian film TO screen at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival) was cast as Michele. "I was immediately struck by Abbie's deep understanding of and affinity for the character of Michele. Michele is the emotional touchstone of the film, and the difficult choices she faces ultimately change her and those she loves. We felt very fortunate that Abbie joined our ensemble," says Peirce, noting, "and she did an incredible job." How does Cornish, who received the 2006 FCCA Award for her starring role in "Candy" alongside the late Heath Ledger, see her character? "When first exploring the character of Michele, I found her honesty and direct nature to be very strong. She has a big heart and is a pillar of strength many times throughout the film. Michele to me was a symbol of the realizations of war, its effects on both Iraq and its occupants and also the soldiers and their families." Two time Teen Choice Awards winner Channing Tatum (who played Tyler Cage in "Step Up" & "Step Up 2 The Streets") was both flattered and intrigued by the offer to play Steve Shriver. "Kimberly is an absolute genius. No one, in that short amount of time, has ever been able to open my eyes to a character the way she did," Tatum stated. Prominent young actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who many will remember appeared as Tommy Solomon in 113 episodes of the TV comedy "3rd Rock from the Sun", was cast in the pivotal role of Tommy Burgess. Peirce says she always had her sights set on Gordon-Levitt for the role. Again, her instincts proved correct. "I did not want to compromise. I had to have Joe. He’s one of the best actors of his generation. He was phenomenal to work with: a true method actor." Gordon-Levitt, who's resume includes the critically acclaimed "Mysterious Skin" (2004); "Brick" (2005) and "The Lookout" (2007) revealed it was the script coupled with an opportunity to play a soldier that attracted him to "Stop-Loss". "There are very few really good scripts so whenever I read one, it stands out. It was well written and a page-turner and seemed like an honest and heartfelt statement about what was going on today. To play a soldier appealed to me, I had never played a soldier and that life fascinates me." Even more so considering he doesn't "come from a military family. My grandfather fought in WWII, but my dad and my mom were peace activists in the nineteen sixties. I wasn’t allowed to play with G.I. Joes when I was a kid." Meryl Streeps daughter, 2006 Theatre World Award winner Mamie Gummer ("Mr Marmalade") was cast as Tommy Burgess's wife Jeanie. Gummer, who auditioned for the movie a year before cameras rolled, elected to remain in Texas rather than return home. "I just loved, loved the story, this script, this girl, this part. It was so far removed from my little New York City self, to come down to Texas and live in this world," she said. "Stop-Loss" was filmed on location in Texas. The cast and crew stayed in Austin, the cosmopolitan state capitol, home to the University of Texas and a world-famous music scene. However, most of the film’s locations were in outlying small towns, such as Lockhart, Texas, the self-proclaimed Barbecue Capital of Texas and part of the states famous BBQ Trail. The ranch scenes were shot at the sprawling Double C Ranch. Synopsis

Sgt Brandon King 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 can't lay off the booze, and Steve 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 Washington D.C., while trying to cope with PTSD and battle flashbacks. Torn by feelings of patriotism and, betrayal, he doesn't know where to turn.

The Verdict "Ryan Phillippe is an interesting actor. Standout roles in films such as "Cruel Intentions", "Gosford Park", "Igby Goes Down", "Crash" and "Breach" have endeared him to many cinemagoers. His latest role as Staff Sergeant Brandon King in Kimberly Peirce's "Stop-Loss" is further proof that he is probably the most under-utilized actor in Hollywood today. Peirce's film is a passionate, gut-wrenching tale about a subject the majority of Australians wouldn't be aware of: the 'stop-loss' clause in the contract of those Americans who sign-on for a stint in the Armed Forces. It's a bitter pill to swallow for the many US servicemen who return in one piece. After a harrowing tour of duty in either Iraq or Afganistan and believing they can re-enter civilian life, many have been told that the President demands their immediate return to active service, thanks to the 'stop-loss' clause. How it affects King, his fellow soldiers and his family, is a fascinating, yet heartbreaking tale. The support cast, which includes rising stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Channing Tatum and Australian actress Abie Cornish is solid. Writer/Director Peirce's film doesn't hold back in its portrayal of the effect of war on this group of young men. From its harrowing opening scenes in the narrow streets of Tikrit through to those final, indelibley haunting moments in Brazos, Texas, "Stop-Loss" provides excellent entertainment. Very Recommended. 4 1/2 STARS." Crew Bytes "STOP LOSS" was .......
directed by 1999 FIPRESCI Prize winner Kimberly Peirce ["Boys Don't Cry"]; set decoration by Sandy Reynolds-Wasco ["Bottle Rocket", "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" and "Kill Bill: Vol. 2"]; art direction by Peter Borck ["Bad Santa", "Friday Night Lights" and "Freedom Writers"]; costume design by Marlene Stewart ["21 Grams", "Hitch" and "The Holiday"]; production design by David Wasco ["Rushmore", "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Collateral"]; edited by Eddie Award winner Claire Simpson ["Tequila Sunrise", "The Constant Gardener" and "The Return"]; cinematography by BAFTA Film Award winner Chris Menges ["The Good Thief", "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" and "North Country"]; original music by ASCAP Award winner John Powell ["Happy Feet", "Horton Hears a Who!", "Kung Fu Panda" and "Hancock"] casting by Casting Society of America Award winner Avy Kaufman ["Garden State", "Syriana" & "American Gangster"]. Who's Who?

Ryan Phillippe Abbie Cornish Joseph Gordon-Levitt Rob Brown Channing Tatum Victor Rasuk Terry Quay Matthew Scott Wilcox Connett Brewer Timothy Olyphant Josef Sommer Linda Emond Ciarán Hinds Mamie Gummer Alex Frost Chandra Washington ora Cardona Isreal Saldivar David Kroll Marie Mizener Kasey Stevens Ricky Calmbach Lee Stringer J.D. Evermore Cory Hart

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SSgt Brandon King Michele Tommy Burgess Isaac 'Eyeball' Butler Sgt Steve Shriver Pvt Rico Rodriguez Paul 'Preacher' Colson Harvey 'Rabbit' Lankford Curtis Lt Col Boot Miller Senator Orton Worrell Ida King Roy King Jeanie Shorty Shriver Mrs Butler Theresa Rodriguez Augustin Rodriguez Pastor Karen Sharon Himself Dennis Rainey Cowboy

Run Time 112 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2008 - Paramount Pictures - All Rights Reserved ©2008 All Rights Reserved The Movie Pages - Protected by Australian, International, Copyright & Trademark Laws.