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Amos Lassen wrote on 03/29/2011:

While not a horror film, “Bully” is one of the scariest movies I have seen and the reason that it evokes such fear is that it is a true story. Larry Clark directed this movie that is about teenagers that have absolutely nothing going for them. They have sex all of the time, they drink to excess, they smoke pot and drop acid and their lives are reckless and meaningless.
I am sure that many who see this movie are outraged and that seems to me to be warranted. To see kids behave like this is certainly not the norm. Marty (Brad Renfro) is the central character and he is involved in a sado-masochistic relationship with his “best friend”, Bobby (Nick Stahl). Then there is Lisa (Rachel Miner), Marty’s pregnant girlfriend. Marty is an average surfer bum and high school drop-out and Bobby constantly picks on him and rides him all the time. Lisa soon tires of Bobby’s abuse to Marty and she tells Marty that he should kill Bobby. They go and see a hit man (Leo Fitzpatrick) and ask him to help put an end to Bobby and from that point on the kids start out upon a new path—one of lies, deceit, boasts, and guilt-ridden feelings about the deed they are about to perform. In the end, the teenagers get their just rewards but the cinematic buildup is highly intense.
The movie is accurate and true to life. Based on an incident that took place in Florida in 1993, it is an authentic retelling of what went on. The cast is sheer perfection. When the kids agree that Bobby has to die, the movie reaches its heights. Bobby was a bully and a rapist and an all around loathsome character. He seems to be somewhat of a closet homosexual as reflected by his obsession with gay porn. He drags Marty to a gay bar and forces him to dance onstage. His violent way of dealing with his own gayness is probably how he chose to deal with his repressed desires. He is a psychotic sociopath who has extended the limits of being tough. But his homosexuality is not the reason he is to be killed. There is no clear reason to why he must die. The actions against him are not motivated by revenge but by jealousy. He is due to go to college and to take over his father’s business.
The movie utilizes a great deal of potent imagery as the film explores the youth of today during dark and troubling times. It hurts to watch kids behaving the way they do here and we hope they get what they deserve.
The movie will weigh on your mind mainly because it really happened. It is bleak and dark and extremely depressing. It is meant to shock and shock it does.

Scotty Boy wrote on 03/09/2005:

After seeing this incredibly almost unveliveable movie, I did research and found that perhaps this movie wasn't quite true to reality. In the movie, bobby is smaller than marty when in reality bobby was a very large guy rumored to be taking steroids. Thought pervoking either way, be sure to check out the extras, expecially "how the actors landed their roles" Very funny movie in some ways, and very depressing realizing that these events actually took place.

Ric wrote on 06/21/2004:

This movie based on a real life story was well acted for the most part. However the casting was HORRENDOUS if you have seen this story of the actual events. A good rental, but not for buying.

Mark wrote on 12/02/2002:

I was amazed, shocked, and disgusted, but I kept watching. Not the best gay theme film I have seen, by a long shot, but I would rent it, once. Not a keeper, but good.

Green Giant wrote on 07/02/2002:

This one of the most accurate
films to depict the waste lives young people have when
left to their own devises.
Brad Renfro and Nick Stahl
give stellar performances where just about everything is laid bare. the 4 star rating is for the film itself.
the dvd is an opportunity wasted. there's no full length audio commentary by
Clark or anyone else. plus the "extras" the dvd does in-
clude look like they were tacked on at the last minute.
again an excellent film but a
total bummer as a dvd.