Larry Clark was been criticised for his choice of plots and characters that appear to be nothing more than an excuse for actors young enough to play to teenagers to appear nude and take part in graphic sex scenes. Clark defends himself by stating that this approach is necessary to show the reality of modern US teenagers' lives, which are often filled with drugs, sex, and violence. This argument is especially valid for Bully, his 2001 crime drama that was based on a true story.
The film is based on the book by Jim Schutze, which had described murder that occurred in July 1993 in Southern Florida. The protagonists belong to a small group of local youths and teenagers whose lives revolve around beach, consuming drugs and plenty of sex without any meaningful thought about future. Martin “Marty” Puccio (played by Brad Renfro) has been best friend with Bobby Kent (played by Nick Stahl) and considers him best friend despite Bobby using every opportunity to verbally and physically abuse him. Bobby isn’t any better to Marty’s friends and acquaintances, and that involves raping Marty’s girlfriend Lisa Connelly (played by Rachel Miner). When she gets pregnant, she becomes afraid that the child might be Bobby’s. One day she suggests to her friends, including Bobby’s former girlfriend Ally Willis (played by Bijou Phillips), that they should get rid of their tormentor and gradually hatch a plan to lure him to secluded place where he would be murdered.
Clark, who was renowned photographer before making films, shows great talent in visually depicting the characters and events in Bully. The film's two-hour runtime is visually impressive, and the audience is unable to complain about the cinematography. However, Clark's tendency to display young actors and actresses in a sexually exploitative manner is once again present in Bully. This time, he goes even further than in his controversial debut Kids, by having the actors appear nude for most of the film. Although the sex scenes, unlike in his next film Ken Park, remain simulated, they are depicted in a manner that proved to be too graphic for the early 21st Century censorship standards of the MPAA Ratings Board. As a result, the film was released unrated, with Clark refusing to make any cuts or accept an NC-17 rating.
While some viewers may find the explicit sex scenes titillating, the film also features scenes of violence and disturbing behaviour. However, the lack of any sympathy for the characters, who are presented as losers without proper morals, inhibition, or ambition, makes it difficult for most viewers to enjoy the film. The title "villain" in the film is the only one who has graduated from high school and has some hopes of going to college and becoming a traditional "pillar of society." However, this irony seems to be lost on Clark.
Clark strives for realism in Bully, using locations where the actual events took place and casting Frank Illarazza, a police detective who investigated the case, to play himself. However, his strive for realism is compromised by casting actors who adhere to Hollywood standards of beauty, including promising stars and a model like Bijou Phillips. Those who watch true crime documentaries about the same case and see how the real-life people looked like may have problems accepting the film as anything more than a Hollywood-like fantasy.
The cast, on the other hand, does a solid job, especially Nick Stahl in the potentially damaging role of a truly despicable villain involved in rape and physical abuse. Brad Renfro is also good as the confused victim, and his role is even more moving in light of the actor's tragic death a few years later.
The biggest issue with Bully is its relative length and slow pace, which may not appeal to all viewers. However, those willing to look past the controversies and give the film a chance may find it to be a visually impressive and thought-provoking exploration of the darker side of teenage life.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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