Bully
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk
A raw, realistic and disturbing film based on an incredible true story about a group of suburban teenagers who murder a neighbourhood bully; Bully stars Brad Renfro (The Client), Nick Stahl (Terminator 3) and Rachel Miner (The Black Dahlia) and is directed by controversial director Larry Clark
Director Larry Clark first became widely known a few years ago when he released his film
Kids on the world. Featuring children engaging in acts of sex, violence and drug use; Kids became incredibly controversial upon its release and Clark was applauded by many critics for showing his willingness to tackle the subject matters that would repel other filmmakers.
With
Bully, Clark has gone further – unlike Kids, Bully is a true story with characters based on real people (mainly) alive today. Rather than just tell the basic picture of these people portrayed by the media as two dimensional monsters; Clark has delved deeper into the story, revealing more about these teenagers and allowing us to understand this horrible thing that they have done. Clark is not an apologist for these people, however provides the viewer with both sides of the story. The result is a deeply compelling but disturbing movie that will stay with you forever.
Brad Renfro stars as Marty Puccio, a troubled sixteen year old from a middle class background living in Suburban America. He is best friends with Bobby Kent (Nick Stahl), and has been for as long as he can remember. Unfortunately his relationship with his oldest friend is rather unusual as Bobby is a bully, who not only rapes and bullies the neighbourhood kids but continuously beats up, hounds and humiliates Marty in front of others. Bobby is only happy when he is in complete control and control he does, forcing Marty to dance at gay bars and perform phone sex to pay for their nights out. The two of them spend their evenings cruising around the neighbourhood, drinking, picking up girls and doing drugs.
When Marty gets a girlfriend that loves him – Lisa (Rachel Miner), Bobby becomes jealous of their relationship and attacks them both, brutally beating Marty and raping Lisa. Following this attack, and the rape of one of her friends, Lisa becomes convinced that the Bobby has hurt too many people and deserves to die. She persuades Marty and her friends to help her, and soon a rag tag bunch of drug taking teenagers band together to get rid of the thorn in their sides with horrific consequences.
Slated by the critics in America for its focus on the sex lives of these youngsters, along with excessive drug taking; Bully is an underrated gem of a movie. Sticking very close to the depiction of these teenagers in the book, and referencing the evidence given at their trial, this is the story of middle class American kids, with no direction, no focus and no true understanding of the consequences of murder, deciding to band together and kill someone that really should have been locked away long ago.
The pace of the film is perfect, keeping the viewer on edge as the plot unfolds, the teenagers lie to their parents and then carry out the deed. This also covers the aftermath of killing and, in DVD extras includes interviews with all the people involved. Definitely an uncomfortable film, but well worth a watch. Add to your list now!