Review of Bully (2011) by Allan M — 08 May 2011

Bully is a dark, disturbing, yet fascinating story about a group of teenage slackers with little to no direction in their life, deciding to take the life of a fellow member of their circle. I really thought that Larry Clarke did a great job telling this shocking story that is based upon true events.

I will admit that after about 15-20 minutes into Bully, I was seriously tempted to turn this move off because the pacing seemd incredibly slow, and the characters just seemed idiotic, very unlikable, and in no way would I be able to relate to these kids. Boy, am I glad that I stuck around and watched this movie play out. The pacing was actually really good as it allowed the plot to take shape, and draw the viewer into the setting, and overall story. I thought the acting was superb, especially by Brad Renfro (Marty), Rachel Miner (Lisa), Nick Stahl (Bobby Kent), and Bijou Phillips (Ali) who were the main cast members of this movie. Each of these actors played their individual roles with such great precision that it was almost impossible not to sympathize with each of these troubled teens to some extent, and in the latter part of the film feel their remorse, dread, and the guilt that came as a result from their actions. Even the bully Bobby Kent had a humanistic element to his character, and even though he was a bully, and a hated character, he was also a human being that had troubles of his own that you can relate to in some way.

This was a lot like "Kids" in the fact that it was a hard movie to watch, because it is dealing with a depressing story, but at the same time it is even harder to take your eyes off the screen. I highly recommend this movie, it is not a movie that you will watch and soon forget afterwards.