BULLY (2001)

Directed By: Larry Clark 
Written By: Zachary Long & Roger Pullis 
Based on the book By: Jim Schutze 
Cinematography By: Steve Gainer 
Editor: Andrew Hafitz 


Cast: Brad Renfro, Nick Stahl, Rachel Miner, Bijou Phillips, Daniel Franzese, Kelli Garner, Michael Pitt, Leo Fitzpatrick 


After finding himself at the constant abuse of his best friend, Bobby, Marty has become fed up with his friend's twisted ways. His girlfriend, a victim of Bobby's often cruel ways, couldn't agree more and they strategize murdering Bobby, with a group of willing and unwilling participants in a small Florida town. In the midst of their plotting, they find themselves contemplating with the possible aftermath of what could happen.

This film takes us into a world where it leaves us fascinated yet repulsed by what we know exists but pretend it doesn’t. As the film goes out of it’s way to be grimy and gritty. Not so much on the streets but more from the sidelines, mini malls, beaches, suburbs.

As this is a true crime story, but the film decides to immerse us in that world beforehand to see what leads up to eventual crime. The film wants to be audacious but also uncomfortable and dirty to make us feel outraged constantly. As with true crime stories there are of course discrepancies between the film and what happened in real life and depends on whose point of view you choose to believe. Here the film tries to give everyone a fair shake when it comes to motive and reasoning. As these teenagers are unsupervised and left on their own accord it seems. Unlike most crime procedurals this story isn’t polished. The kids are either obvious, stupid or Lying to each other and themselves. Even as afterwards they are supposed to keep it secret but tell everyone.

The film seems supposedly to have so many tales of debauchery that went on behind the scenes that seems to almost mirror the characters that they are legend and infamous.

Much will be said and be repulsed by the constant sex, nudity and sexuality shown and presented that makes it feel sleazy and provacative. Yes it comes off as perverted because of what the director Larry Clark chooses to focus on which is by design but also seeks to push it farther then he did with the move KIDS. But really also using or employing his style to the facts of the story and a truth in vision showing the good, bit more constantly the bad and the ugly and never afraid to present it. As something you need to see to fully understand the circumstances.

Which makes the film more structured and the true crime elements takes a backseat at times more to the sex and characters. Which pushes the tawdry details more front and center. As everyone in the cast feels more natural in roles. No one feels actorly except Nick Stahl to a degree as he is also the most recognizable at the time. As well as the victim and more supporting character who isn’t as much part of the group dynamic.

There is a sincerity of trying to present the story as it might have been. The film doesn’t shy away. What also helps is that the film is shot so vividly, alive and energetically as the cast that it seems to be constantly moving on overdrive. When it comes to angles it seems like every shot is used to capture exact elements and there are no frills so that it almost feels like a docudrama.

Each character seems to have a story that they use as a front, but seems to be dysfunctional in some way. The film seems to fall apart at the end with most of the characters needing to brag or confess. Which eventually leads to a finale where they are actually all arguing in front of a judge and audience in the courtroom. Practically admitting details and guilt.

As the film seems to suggest or more present the factor of absent parents who seem to be around but can’t keep up or watch their kids constantly. They trust them to do the right thing but seem to betray that trust as after all they are still making their way through the world and make bad decisions. Which seems to be a common theme in Director Larry Clark’s films. As this film is presented as a particular slice of life.

You might find yourself repulsed by the move but the filmmaker goes above and beyond. Might not approve of methods or of person behind the scenes but amazed by what was captured even if one can’t agree with it. At times goes with his passion. Which seems more to feed a certain fetish. Just as in one scene towards the end there is a scene where everyone is naked including a baby and Bijou Phillips is holding the child in a rocking chair. While her boyfriend and another female friend are naked on the bed asleep yet intertwined. it could be Ms. Phillips watching over them all as a mother and protecting them in their naked innocence.

There is one shot that is so disorienting as the group discusses plans for the murder the camera does a rotating 360 degree turn during the whole scene which watching it in a Theater became totally dizzying and it takes you out of the film and scene almost like you are high yourself but not in a good way. Which might be intentional to put you in the kind of mindset of the characters and the craziness of what is going on around you. As the film can depict as much as it wants but this effect it style and design actually manages to make you feel And affect your coherence and overall mood.

Rachel Miner is the one performance that truly stands out amongst the rest. Though all the actors are good and natural

The film shows the effects of bullying when it goes especially too far. As an alpha male more dominant as well. As well as seemingly homoerotic friendship baked in sexuality. The fact that more in reel life Nick Stahl’s character was a bodybuilder and competitive might be able to explain better it’s absense like that was a progression of friendship and he tells it more out frustration from pressure felt by his father.

In revolving camera which makes one dizzy and sick. For me it made me sick in the theater. Sure the material didn’t help. Though it was similar to the film PALINDROMES both works I’m amazed by and repulsed by though both have an artistic and visual purity of spirit. He seems to want to show the forbidden go past any kind of censorship that not only show but focus on what most filmmakers would avoid. Drawn more into the darker aspects and instances that most shy away from for various reasons. Seeing what we are not supposed to. Certain material here to challenge and confront the audience. Some scenes seem endless or stupid to show you the world And mindsets of these characters.

I believe the film is brilliant, provacative, disturbing and by the end you feel disgusted and dirty like an exploitation film.


Grade: B