Review of Bully (2011) by Andy A — 10 Dec 2010

Hard film to review. I can see where the criticism comes from - there is a lot of nudity here, some of it unnecessary, and usually focusing on young teen girls. Based on this and some of his other films, it wouldn't surprise me if Larry Clark had a bit of a perverted streak. However, that aside, he has done some damn good films, and this is one of them.

It is a very stark film and I guess it has something to say about how one bad decision, (and it is a bad one), can ruin your whole life - not that these out of control teens seem to have a lot going for them to start with, and this is a true story. Bloody hell, more reasons to never have kids. Ever.

The cast are really effective here. Michael Pitt, as always, excellent. Bijou Phillips and Rachel Miner also good (Lisa is beautiful bit kind of scary as well here). What makes this story conflicting is that the guy who was killed really isn't a nice guy. He had beaten and raped both these girls, as well as beaten his best friend. (Nick Stahl was a great choice for the "Bully" - he has kind of a creepy quality). So you kind of do want to see the back of him, while at the same time having to acknowledge that his death was a tragedy and there had to be better ways to deal with his behavior. Larry Clark has been very clever here as he doesn't play any of these characters for sympathy especially. You don't get much of a background story on any of these people. He just films their actions, and leaves it to the viewer to decide who is right and wrong.

Very good film, but, as with a lot of films I have rated highly, will not be for everyone.