Harvey Weinstein should be crowned “King” for having the bravery to tackle a culturally relevant documentary and bringing bullying to the forefront. Thank GOD he finally garnished a PG-13 rating, especially when a ridiculous film like THE HUNGER GAMES gets a PG-13 rating – about kids killing other kids – but a REAL film like BULLY where kids are practically killing real kids – gets slapped around by the MPAA almost ending up with an “R” rating. Shame on the MPAA. They should be kicked around a school yard!
In the years when I did volunteer work for young women, I remember noting that when when women are being domestically abused, they say they’d “take being hit anyday over being emotionally abused.” And maybe that’s why BULLY is so important should be required viewing for all middle and high school age students, not because they are bullies necessarily, but because they could be the one friend that speaks up and helps these victims. I mean, if a woman has trouble reacting to a spouse’s abuse, unable to cope and feeling insecure, imagine the damage on the self-esteem of a blossoming boy or girl with hormones shooting all over the place! And yes, many are hit and kicked around, but the bulk of them are deemed verbally worthless (thus the suicides that often follow.)
The story opens on “Alex” a.k.a. “FishFace” for his nerdy, odd looks and pouty lips. Sadly, he’s the most sensitive and sweetest elder child of five siblings whom he adores and worships. The kind of young man we’d all want for our own child to mirror. Alex “likes going to school and learning” just not the bus ride journey to take him there. Mature beyond his years, he tolerates it all and hides the cruelty from his parents.
“Geeks” “fags” and “Wimps” are some of the words slung around at the various teens who are different because they’re homosexual, homely, or just the skinny kid that “fatty” needs to pick on.
But the interesting thing about this film is it doesn’t stress the need or advice to “Stand up for yourself” because the truth is a lot of these kids can’t, and the one young girl who does, ends up in a detention center for having a breakdown and acting out.
One of the most important and necessary films of the year, I just wonder if Harvey Weinstein was bullying or bullied as a young boy. It’s anybody’s guess. (I’ve always felt myself blessed to know Harvey in real life. Now i’m doubly blessed.) Four tiaras