The Inspection

audience Reviews

, 91% Audience Score
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    Loved What The Movie Was/Is About.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    Evoked from the director's own troubled kinship with his homophobic mother and his traumatic experience surviving toxic masculinity of the Marines, Elegance Bratton's directorial debut delivers an explosively affective story about incredible perseverance of a queer man combatting tough circumstances and own's demons to stand proud and unapologetic.
  • Rating: 0.5 out of 5 stars
    Possibly the worst account of Marine Corp boot camp ever. Horrible story line. Not at all a realistic account of Military life or Military training. Any Marine gay or straight would be embarrassed of this story. The only good part played was the Senior drill instructor and that's not saying that his part was anywhere near that of a real senior drill instructor it's just that he added some story line to a otherwise very dull movie.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    Lindo, recheado de camadas, refletindo o pior e o melhor do patriarcado militar, de forma leve, ao mesmo tempo que disciplina e acolhe, machuca e revolta... E a igreja, retratada na personagem da mãe, que tenta cura, e excluir o filho, assim como algumas religiões... Uma biografia linda, delicada e reflexiva... Sobre segundas chances e escolhas que fazemos durante a nossa vida...
  • Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    A powerfully rooted movie that showcases some terrific acting and an effecting story of perseverance and resilience. Its themes can be a little muddy (are we supposed to feel some type of a connection between French and his abusive commander who almost drowns him by the end or...) and it relies very heavily on era specific context to understand why people would treat a fellow soldier the way they do. In other words, this may be a little tougher for younger audiences who don't have the context of what it was like to be gay in 2005, let alone gay in the military in 2005. Despite that, The Inspection is a great story that highlights the abuse and prejudice that is and was extremely prevalent not only in the military but also from family.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    i could have waited for the redbox..the acting wasnt "officer n a gentlemen" but it was just ok. no chemistry between the mom and son, even the training sessions were kind of boring
  • Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    The Inspection is a powerful and compelling film, a great showcase for the strong acting on display. Not only is it based on true life events, but it is based on the life experiences of writer director Elegance Bratton. The film maps his story very closely. Here we find Ellis French, young, gay and black and living rough in New Jersey. He was kicked out of home at 16 by his conservative mother. In despair he decides to enlist in the Marines to turn his life around. Sent to boot camp in South Carolina he not only has to endure the physical rigours but also the mental challenges when his sexuality is discovered. This is a great story of perseverance and resolve. About a young man overcoming odds to achieve his goal. Acting is very strong, especially Jeremy Pope as French and Bokeem Woodbine as his abusive commander. This is a strong and worthy film that I would recommend highly.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    This movie was a powerful and emotional experience. Pope gives an incredible performance as Ellis, who struggles to survive the harsh and homophobic environment of boot camp, while also dealing with his unresolved trauma and longing for his mother's love. He is supported by a great cast, especially Raúl Castillo as Rosales, his sympathetic drill instructor, and Bokeem Woodbine as Laws, his ruthless and bigoted superior. The film is based on the true story of writer-director Elegance Bratton, who was homeless for a decade after being kicked out by his mother for being gay. He joined the Marines and eventually became a filmmaker, telling his story with honesty and courage. The film does not shy away from showing the brutality and discrimination that Ellis faces but also shows his resilience and strength in overcoming them. The film also explores the themes of identity, family, and belonging, as Ellis tries to reconcile his sexuality, race, and patriotism in a society that rejects him. He finds some solace in his friendship with Castro (Aaron Dominguez), another gay recruit, and in his faith in God. He also confronts his mother in a heartbreaking scene that reveals their complex and painful relationship. The film has received critical acclaim and several awards nominations, including a Golden Globe nod for Pope. He deserves it, as he carries the film with his charisma and vulnerability. He makes us care for Ellis and barracking for him to succeed. "The Inspection" is a moving and inspiring story that will make you think and feel. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    I thought this was a very brutal film at times and heartbreaking from seeing how his mother was to him .
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    A spare, riveting account of basic training in the Marine Corps. Some of it is chilling, some of it is lighthearted, and when it's over, you feel baptised in a new understanding of group dynamics.