Bully (2001)

A pack of naïve teenagers conspire to murder a mutual friend, whose aggressive demeanor has proved too much.

Director:

Larry Clark

Writers:

Jim Schutze (book), David McKenna (screenplay) (as Zachary Long)

Stars:

Brad Renfro, Nick Stahl, Bijou Phillips

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brad Renfro	...	Marty Puccio
Bijou Phillips	...	Ali Willis
Rachel Miner	...	Lisa Connelly
Nick Stahl	...	Bobby Kent
Michael Pitt	...	Donny Semenec
Leo Fitzpatrick	...	The Hitman
Kelli Garner	...	Heather Swallers
Daniel Franzese	...	Cousin Derek
Nathalie Paulding	...	Claudia
Jessica Sutta	...	Blonde
Ed Amatrudo	...	Mr. Kent (as Edward Amatrudo)
Steve Raulerson	...	Mr. Willis (as Steven Raulerson)
Judy Clayton	...	Mrs. Willis (as Judith Clayton)
Alan Lilly	...	Mr. Puccio
Irene B. Colletti	...	Mrs. Puccio

Storyline

After finding himself at the constant abuse of his best friend, Bobby, Marty has become fed up with his friend's twisted ways. His girlfriend, a victim of Bobby's often cruel ways, couldn't agree more and they strategize murdering Bobby, with a group of willing and unwilling participants in a small Florida town. In the midst of their plotting, they find themselves contemplating with the possible aftermath of what could happen.

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Plot Keywords:

cruelty | rape victim | date rape | bully | revenge | 

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Taglines:

It's 4 a.m... do you know where your kids are?

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, sexual content, drug use and language - all involving teens

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the events upon which the film is based take place in 1993, the film itself is deliberately not set in 1993, but in 2001, to avoid any potential problems with anachronisms.

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Goofs

During the scene between Derek and Ms. Connelly, the boom is reflected in the window behind them, moving back and forth.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Marty: [on the phone with a customer] I want you to suck my big dick.
Mrs. Puccio: [from downstairs] Marty, honey, dinner!
Marty: [into the phone] I want you to lick my balls.

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Crazy Credits

While this Picture is based upon the book "Bully: A True Story of High School Revenge" written by Jim Schutze, some of the characters and persons have been composited, invented and recreated and a number of incidents have been fictionalized, emphasized and exaggerated for dramatic effect.

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Alternate Versions

The scenes that were cut from the R-rated version include:

• A sex scene with Ali (Bijou Phillips) and Donny (Michael Pitt). Ali pours hot wax on Michael's chest. (at 23:15 through 24:37 seconds)
• A brief shot of Ali's vagina when you see her panties scrunched up (at 35:56) through 35:59 seconds) There are included in the Region 1 DVD from Lionsgate Entertainment.

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Connections

Featured in Bully: On Location (2003)

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Soundtracks

Bully's Beauties
Performed by Scott Grusin and John Caruso
Written by Scott Grusin and John Caruso
Published by Rabind Turtle Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

What If Your Kids Turned Out Like This?

Controversial director Larry Clark's based on real-life events "Bully" is sometimes quite hard to watch, but you can't quite stop yourself from watching the misadventures of these messed up children either. This film feels so real, so nitty-gritty, that at times, you may feel like an intruder, watching someone else's life. These children are so far removed from being children, it is hard to think that they actually are just children. After all, the concept of a group of kids killing their so-called friend, well, its hardly child's play now is it? The cast are great. Brad Renfro is top-notch in all his performances, here is no exception. Bijou Phillips is great, Rachel Miner is cunning, Kelli Garner is a lot of fun, Michael Pitt is slightly annoying, but entertaining nonetheless. Nick Stahl is intense, to say the least.

Of course it would be hard to say you condone the actions of these "kids", after all, they murdered. But it makes for gripping drama. The film also reveals the sentencing which the kids received for their parts in the murder, some of which was very surprising. A great film, but you need to be in the mood for a hard-watch.

Details

Country:

USA France UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Bully

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,502, 15 July 2001

Gross USA:

$480,811

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$704,808

Company Credits

Production Co:

StudioCanal, Lions Gate Films, Muse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 113 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1