BULLY
Released: July 13, 2001
Director Larry Clark likely won't be making the jump to Disney films anytime too soon but that's OK. His trademark shock appeal is definitely not for everyone. Like his desolate debut "Kids" (1995) which illustrates poor and uneducated kids doing all they know how to do (sex, violence and aimlessness), "Bully" is a true story of a group of teens who are given everything from cars and money without lifting a finger to pat their way. Add the utter lack of parenting (the parents are just as fucked up as the kids) and you've got the right mix for something bad to occur. What do they decide to do? Well, one of them is particularly abusive, hence the movie's title, and the rest of the group then plot on murdering him. How they go about it is disturbing but equally sad is the work up to the event itself. Even more shocking is that this is a true story of what happened in a quiet Florida 'burb. "Bully" was based on the true account in book form by Jim Schutze and made totally Larry Clark. Like all his movies, don't go in expecting restraint. Clark loves his subject matter but ultimately treats it (as much as you can) with respect without resorting to mocking or preaching.
113 Minutes (unrated version)
Lions Gate Films