Cheap Bully (Unrated/ Theatrical Edition) (DVD) (Brad Renfro, Nick Stahl) (Larry Clark) Price

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Customer Reviews of Bully (Unrated/ Theatrical Edition)

Larry Clark's most powerful film since KIDS
BULLY is based on a true story. Truth hurts. Reality can be ugly. Larry Clark is a talented film maker who puts this message across in his films. Films mature adults can choose to watch in the comfort of their own homes, giving them a glimpse of life they hopefully never have to endure, and leaving the viewer a stronger & more liberated person. This didn't stop SPCS from stopping it screening at a film fest in Wellington 30 MINUTES before it was due to screen!! Very democratic of them! Maybe people affected by that should picket SPCS President Rev. Gordon Dempsey's church at Easter for their celebration of the crucifixion? I used to be a Catholic & I can honestly say that Catholicism was more damaging than any movie I've seen. Anyway, I strongly encourage you to rent/buy this DVD. It's POWERFUL. It's PROVOCATIVE. It's HARD-HITTING (in both the literal & figurative senses). This is THE first DVD I've managed to talk my local video store into getting. I just hope it won't be the last.
Marty (Brad Renfro) is a teen surfer who is the victim of continuous verbal and physical abuse from his scuzzy best friend Bobby (Nick Stahl), who he relies upon to take him to the beach to surf. But when Bobby rapes Marty's girlfriend Lisa (Rachel Miner- amusingly Macaulay Culkin's ex-wife!) and her friend Abby (Bijou Phillips) Bobby finally reaches the end of his rope and with the help of a group of alienated teens who have also been victimised by Bobby, they decide the only way to put an end to all their suffering is to murder him (a very bloody scene, but in context, justifiably so).
BULLY is one of the best movies I've seen in the past year, with the entire cast giving brave and gutsy performances, especially Nick Stahl who is frighteningly convincing. Renfro is equally good as his victim. Highly recommended, but viewer discretion is advised. Half of the audience at the screening I attended walked out during the scene where Bobby rapes Abby; but I'll leap to the film's defence that this is what happened, it isn't sugar coated or dumbed down; so Larry Clark and his cast should be commended for their daring and bravery.
BULLY is not recommended for anyone under 18 or those who are squeamish or offend easily; but is a film that deserves to be seen. This is essential viewing for parents who may find a lot here to discuss with their kids. (Not in OZ/NZ- it's R18: adults only. That's Vidiot_y2k doing his bit for the "public good".) And no, contrary to what SPCS say this movie is NOT a) responsible for increased crime in NZ. Blame poverty, abuse, drugs...but MOVIES? Come on!!; or b)(oddly) targeted at 16 year olds - these idiots never fail to amaze me. So I encourage you to put BULLY on your list of must see movies. This has to be one of the ten best movies I've seen this year. So who are you going to believe? Me, or some group of hormonally-challenged sad sacks who dismiss anybody who disagrees with their views as a "minority"? Bring KEN PARK to Dunedin!!!

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A disturbing, powerful film
Larry Clark's film "Bully" follows a dysfunctional group of Florida teens as their lives take a turn towards a horrific tragedy. Central to the story is the relationship between Marty (played by Brad Renfro) and Bobby (Nick Stahl), who work together at a sandwich shop. Bobby physically and verbally brutalizes Marty, thus laying the groundwork for the tragedy that follows.

"Bully" is a frightening portrayal of a nihilistic adolescent wasteland. The characters' lives revolve around violent video games, illegal drugs, and exploitative sex. Amoral and disconnected from parents and community, these kids are like a cluster of human time bombs.

The film features superb performances from its talented young cast; at times "Bully" feels like a gritty documentary. After seeing Stahl portray a rather nice character in "In the Bedroom," I was both shocked and impressed by his portrayal of the sociopathic youth in "Bully." And fans of the talented Renfro will be again rewarded; he brings a palpable pain and fury to this flawed, but strangely sympathetic character.

The graphic sex, homoeroticism, and violence of "Bully" will probably be too much for many viewers to take. But if you endure this disturbing film, you will see a compelling vision of fear, paranoia, and a desparate need for love and acceptance.

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Bully
I wouldn't really call this film 'explicit' or 'shocking' per se, but it does leave its effect on you. The film does have its fare share of sex, but nothing pornographic; exploitative perhaps, especially with the young actors and all, but nothing 'pert. to porn'. Personally I preferred Clark's previous film 'Kids' much more. Despite being based on actual happenings, this film didn't really seem ( to me ) to have a sense of reality. Usually I would attribute that as a good thing, but most of this just looks like it was something done up for an MTV special. This first half of the film I didn't particularly like: mainly just consisting of aimless sex and drug use... Which is fine and all, but should be made better use of. The second half of the film does get substantially better: after the crime has been committed, the character's emotions and states of mind quickly condense and implode in on them; which is orchestrated very well. It's not a bad film, but it's not a great film... It is good though. My favorite character was actually Lisa's friend Claudia ( I believe it was ), who seemed like the conscience of a film drenched with apathy. Too bad more use wasn't made of her :(.