The Inspection

I saw it as a pure American story. Not about dreams but about realities, change of life, social/ cultural obstacles, forms of segregation, manner to succed, difference and its assumation , new beginning and the turn of life moment.

And, sure, about family relation, prejudices, radical gestures and their consequences.

It is more than a film inspired by real facts.

It is more than a portrait of life in US NMarine.

It represents, first, a kick to reflection to the viewer, a sort of honest confession about tough decisions and the sketches of survive as way to remain yourself.

So, not a memorable film but one beautiful crafted.

Though the movie focus on a man whose gay and his experience going through the Marines Boot Camp, the movie actually examines a diverse group of young men going through the Marine Corps training. Of all the types you'll find your type that you can relate to.

I feel the movie makes you guess a little too much about the main character French's background. Most likely done on purpose as the purpose of the Marines is to have no background when you put on that uniform. Slowly along with the character we discover what type of man he can be without putting any further labels on him.

Find it ironic that the inspection actually was positive propaganda for the U. S Marine corps, casue what I saw a coming-of-age story that molded the story teller greatly.

It was a small picture which triggered great emotion.

The understated nature of this film is, overall, an asset, though at the same time, it undermines the clarity and impact of the overall story. Still, this is a clear eyed look at the trauma that a parent's disapproval can wreak, and the courage and determination of the protagonist to find an accepting "family" is both admirable and inspirational. Very fine, believable performances from all the cast, and the script never strikes any false or sentimentally objectionable notes. The crisp, ninety or so minute length is also a wise decision, the story doesn't need any more than that to be told convincingly. Good (if not brilliant) job!

"French" (Jeremy Pope) is an itinerant gay man who, estranged from his prison office mother "Inez" (Gabrielle Union), has concluded that the only way to stop himself becoming subsumed into an underworld of drugs, disease and most likely death, is to join the US Marines. Having failed at just about everything else, his mother is somewhat sceptical, but to bootcamp he goes where he encounters the stereotypically brutish gunnery sergeant-major "Laws" (Bokeem Woodbine). It's all based on a true story directed and adapted from his own story by Elegance Bratton, so jeopardy here there isn't. That said, Pope and Woodbine are both on good form as the former runs the gamut of a tough training regime coupled with a prejudice against his sexuality that proves distinctly dangerous. His trainer offers him nothing by way of support or sympathy, intent on instilling the most primitive of "survival of the fittest" mentalities amongst all of his recruits. It is a little procedural, but it's still an interesting tale from a man who resisted the temptations to jack it all in - and sends a clear message of perseverance and determination that does resonate to a certain, predictable, extent. Essentially, though, it's a television movie that doesn't really need a cinema screening and though watchable and important, it isn't a story that will linger in the memory for long afterwards, I'm afraid.

As the movie states it was "inspired" by a true story, meaning the characters use fictional names and many of the exact situations and dialog were invented, but as the filmmaker says, everything is accurately autobiographical to the substance of the story.

The main character is Jeremy Pope, a gay black actor, as Ellis French, a gay black man in New Jersey. The story starts in 2005 and the first 12 minutes of the movie shows us his life. He had been on his own since he was 16 and now, at 25 was homeless, spending nights in shelters, and riding the train by skipping over the gates. He looked around. Most of the other men were older and he decided he wanted to make a life for himself.

He and his mother, who had him at 16, were estranged, she did not approve of his being gay. As if she though he could control it and maybe he could decide to be straight. There is a short scene where he goes to her to get his birth certificate, he has decided to join the Marines.

The rest of the movie is during boot camp, the difficult time French had, not so much with the training, more with the anti-gay sentiment he was confronted with.

This is not an easy movie to watch at times but it overall is an excellent story of coming-of-age and setting himself up for a better life. And of course in real life he has become a writer and the director of this movie.

At home on DVD from my public library, the DVD "making of" extra is worthwhile.