Simply Perfect

Good concept, poorly executed.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I really enjoyed it. I don't know why the other reviews go on about bad acting. There was the odd out-of-place montage and the build-up intro was a bit formulaic in places but nothing really bad, and nothing that stopped it being a good film. I could name plenty high-budget high-return movies that were less thought-out and a lot more cheese and that were seemingly produced on autopilot by point-missing robots who are lucky enough to be able to afford headline-grabbing CGI effects.Also, it made me aware that such places exist as Cross Creek and Tranquility Bay. Although I can forgive a movie for dramatising something "based on a true story" I was left wanting to find out more and judge for myself.Anyway, this objectively deserves an 8, I think. It should be more known.

A group of troubled teenagers who include the brash and sarcastic Sophie (an excellent and appealing performance by Mila Kunis) are abducted and sent to the harsh Camp Serenity rehab program on Figi. While there the teens are subjected to solitary confinement, physical violence, and psychological torture by the camp ruthless administrators led by the strict, arrogant, and domineering Dr. Norman Hail (a commanding and convincing portrayal by Peter Stormare) in an attempt to break and subsequently "fix" them. Director Christian Duguay, working from an original and absorbing script by John Cox and Agatha Dominik, relates the compelling story at a steady pace, maintains a hard-hitting gritty tone throughout, and wisely avoids lurid sensationalism despite the potentially exploitative subject matter. The potent, disturbing, and provocative central theme about the "tough love" treatment, the abuse of power, and the dangers of playing god not only makes a spot-on significant point that torture and brutality quite simply aren't an effective and acceptable means to an end for rehabilitation, but also gives this picture an extra strong dramatic and emotional punch. The fine acting from the bang-up cast rates as another substantial asset, with especially praiseworthy work from Gregory Smith as Sophie's concerned boyfriend Ben, Regine Nehy as the fragile Trina, Alejandro Rae as belligerent cokehead Jack, Christopher Jacot as the paranoid Danny, Tygh Runyan as sleazy and sadistic security chief Logan, and Colleen Rennison as the spiteful Ellen. Duguay's sharp cinematography provides an appropriately gloomy look. Normand Corbeil's spare moody score does the trick in a subtle and unobtrusive way. Based on true events, this movie possesses a certain harrowing plausibility to it that packs quite a forceful wallop to the gut. Powerful stuff.

Not really sure why it was categorized as a suspense/thriller... there was nothing suspenseful or thrilling about it at all. The beginning was a bit slow, and to be honest, it didn't really pick up until the last thirty minutes or so. I think the only reason I kept watching was because I knew it was based on actual events, and that compelled me to continue. It was very 'Island of Dr. Moreau'-esque. I didn't really make that connection until about two-thirds through the movie, but once I did, there was no denying the parallels. It's almost as if it was a cross between 'The Island of Dr. Moreau' and 'Hotel Rwanda,' as disturbing as that sounds. It had the same general plot line as IoDM but also with the same sense of candidness that was in HR. Like I said... disturbing... especially when you consider that it's based on real events.

Most of us are used to torture porn. With movies like Cabin Fever, Hostel, The Collector, and the countless Saws its a shock we can sleep. Those are all nice, though this one is real.The movie is about Sophie (Mila Kunis). After he father's death, she is stressed out in her life. Her parents are worried about her odd and relentless behavior toward her new stepfather, so they send her to boot camp (I would have sent her to a Daddy-Daughter Dance, saves money).Boot Camp members basically brutally kidnap Sophie and take her to a remote island off of Fiji. Instead of being a training camp like expected, it turns out to be an endless abuse and embarrassment school.People are locked in holes, thrown in mud, and beat with rods when refuse to do their work or just simply tired. Sophie's boyfriend Ben (Gregory Smith) does bad to get on the island and rescue her. But the strict leader doesn't like that.In the case of torture porn Horror movies. This one is real. The events in this movie actually occur. Unlike in Saw where a killer with lollipop circles on his face tries to lock you up in traps, this one is actually likable and realistic.The concept is stunning and meaningful and makes you feel as if you lived the story happening to these characters. Not a movie to watch twice, but definitely a must see kinda movie.Starring: Mila Kunis and Gregory Smith.