Review of Bad Boy Bubby (1993) by Aidan H — 17 Oct 2010

I originally found this movie in a list of the most disturbing films ever made but, despite a first third taken up with incest, domestic violence and abject cruelty, BBB is one of the most tender and hopeful films I've seen for some time.

Nicholas Hope's performance as the abused 38 year-old man-child is a triumph of internal characterisation, his every grimace and gesture illustrating to perfection the conflict between him and his abusive parents.

But this is no tale of self-pity: BBB's message is all positive and his power to entice and repel those around him is handled in a believable and moving way, especially when he takes to the stage as an idiot-savant rock star.

Supporting him in his adventures are a colourful cast of extroverts and outcasts whose belief further strengthens his resolve until the satisfying and unexpected happy ending. One of the strongest films to have come out of Australia in a long while, BBB deserves to be re-evaluated outside of its 'weird movie' status.

A blinder.