Bully [VHS] [2002]

The film involves many sexual scenes, including a rape, which have been labelled, by many, as gratuitous. The purpose of these scenes is to depict a level of realism (I am sure their critics can not deny that teenage sex takes place) and is not glamorized in any way (It was noted in certain review that the actors bodies have bruises and cuts), and the consequences, such as unwanted pregnancies are also explored. However Bully is considerably more graphic than 'Kids' (Larry Clark's controversial 1995 picture)

The camera work is excellent (except for one nauseating scene where the camera is constantly spinning) and an atmosphere is maintained throughout the entire film.

These little known actors (at the time of filming) perform exceptionally well and I am sure they will go on to greater things. The Bully (Nick Stahl) will be staring in a major roll (John Connor) in Terminator 3.

This film must be watched without prejudice to enjoy it to its full extent. If you object to strong language or sex in movies then I do not recommend this movie, but to the rest of us it is a very powerful drama. This film stuck in my memory for days after watching it.

If you enjoyed this film you may also enjoy 'Kids' (Larry Clark) or 'Requiem for a dream' (Darren Aronofsky)

Based on a true story, "Bully" is about a guy named Marty, who is always getting beaten up and tormented by his best friend Bobby. Bobby's one nasty and mean character who does what he wants when he wants. He's been known to be sexually abusive towards women and unleashes his violent temper upon anyone who gets in his way. Not being able to take it anymore, Marty and his girlfriend decide maybe it's time that something should be done. They get together with a group of friends and decide they have to kill Bobby What seems to be a simple plan falls apart right before their eyes, and once the deed is done they can never go back to the way things were.

This film is directed by the same man who did "Kids," Larry Clark. He does a superb job of orchestrating this brutally chilling force of a movie that knocks the air right out of your body. The cast and crew were also great. Every actor did their roles justice. Especially the man who plays Marty. As I was watching this, I kept asking to myself "This is a true story??" in complete disbelief.

Be warned, this is a VERY uneasy film to watch. Not a second goes by in where there isn't something shocking going on. This is another one of those movies that isn't meant for everybody, but I still think it's an important film. Bullying is a very serious subject that plagues the world every day. This movie reveals the true ugliness of that and shows just how far some will go to stop it.

"Bully" is a success in my eyes, as hard as it was to watch. "Kids" is also very disturbing as well, but on much more different level. Again, this isn't a movie that everybody is going to like. In fact, I'm willing to bet that many who have attempted this movie were forced to stop it and were unable to finish it. Be warned, this is a very uneasy movie to watch. The scary reality of it all is these types of things happen all the time...