“Bully” is a 2001 American crime drama film directed by Larry Clark, based on the true story of the murder of a young man in Florida by his friends. The movie explores the disturbing and complex relationships between a group of teenagers and the culture of violence that surrounds them.
Marty (Brad Renfro) is a troubled teenager who is constantly bullied by his friend Bobby (Nick Stahl) and his girlfriend Lisa (Rachel Miner). When Marty begins a relationship with a new girl in town named Lisa (Bijou Phillips), Bobby becomes jealous and begins to plot revenge against Marty. With the help of Lisa and their friends, Bobby and Lisa hatch a plan to murder Marty, and the group goes to great lengths to cover up the crime.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the gritty realism and powerful performances, while others criticized it for its graphic violence and disturbing subject matter. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival and received several other award nominations.
Overall, “Bully” is a disturbing and thought-provoking look at the culture of violence and the tragic consequences of teenage bullying. The film is not for the faint of heart, but it offers a powerful message about the need to address the root causes of bullying and the devastating impact it can have on young people's lives.
| Directed by | Larry Clark |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Don Murphy Chris Hanley Fernando Sulichin |
| Screenplay by | Zachary Long Roger Pullis |
| Based on | Bully by Jim Schutze |
| Starring | Brad Renfro, Bijou Phillips, Rachel Miner, Michael Pitt, Kelli Garner, Leo Fitzpatrick, Nick Stahl, |
| Music by | Joe Poledouris Jerome Dillon |
| Cinematography | Steve Gainer |
| Edited by | Andrew Hafitz |
| Production companies |
Blacklist Films Gravity Entertainment Muse Productions FilmFour Distributors StudioCanal |
| Distributed by | Lions Gate Films |
| Release date | June 15, 2001 (Method Fest) July 14, 2001 (United States) December 12, 2001 (France) |
| Running time | 114 minutes |
| Countries | United States France |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2.1 million |
| Box office | $1.4 million |