I heard about Bully much the same way everyone else did, the hoopla surrounding how important it was and how disturbing the content was. It was indeed one of the hardest things I've ever sat through. It is incredibly important that is for certain and it is so hard to watch but not just because of the content. I honestly feel that this film brings to light the issue of bullying in a number of ways but offers NO hope, NO solutions, NO resolutions, and leaves you with a desolate feeling of hopelessness. Worst of all, I personally felt that watching these kids get blamed for their own daily torture was sickening and downright disgusting and a form of bullying all in itself. I'm especially referring to the main story told of Alex. I felt like every single person who spoke to him, including his parents did nothing more than blame him and then on top of that the condescending tones and scolding from everyone would make him simply feel worse. And yet this documentary does not deal in any sort of facts. We don't see statistics, we don't see any resolution to any single one of the stories told. I honestly feel that in many ways this documentary was poorly put together. It is effective in showing what happens but not teaching anything about bullying. Its like creating a world war 2 documentary with people being shot and blown up for two hours and nothing else.
The story of Alex broke my heart. That poor little boy touched me in such a way that I was angry and just so sad for him and what he is going through. And then when you think about how many others like him are out there, its overwhelming and completely depressing. The story told of Kelby was least effective in the film. She tells her story well but we never actually see any of the bigotry or bullying that she states is happening to her. Other than her testimony and that of her father's there is no actual footage of it happening. Furthermore, I was disgusted when her father says that he offered them all to move to a bigger place where she would be more easily accepted and not as outcasted and she refused because "then they win." Sorry, but that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. She's not being a martyr or a hero staying in a place where she is supposedly tortured day after day. I also felt like in cases like Ja'Maya and Tyler that I honestly believe that not enough was done to protect them. Same in the case of Alex. The adults all know what is going on but they essentially let it go on. Yes, the parents hold their town hall meeting or visit with school officials but with zero outcome. I understand they feel their hands are tied or they feel hopeless as well but step one to me would be REMOVE THOSE KIDS FROM THEIR SCHOOLS. Step two would be have parents on the buses, at the schools, and in those classrooms like martial law in the hallways. Yes, I know this seems unrealistic but so does poor innocent children being tortured.
Bravo to director and documentary creator Lee Hirsch for bringing this revolting and disgusting crime to light. And also shame on Lee Hirsch for creating a documentary with no real facts, or figures, or solutions or anyone over the age of 15 who actually cares about these kids enough to go above and beyond and do something. The only thing I can hope is that the film somehow enrages someone enough to start their own protest or war against the bullies. While the film insists that it is a movie every kid needs to watch and I think the idea was to appeal to teenagers and kids who might be bullies themselves, I don't think that a teenager will even be phased by this. I'm not saying it wasn't a good documentary, it had its brilliance about it, but I am saying that I think it misses its mark and leaves you feeling hopeless, empty and depressed. I could never put a grade out of ten on this film. What you see is what you get certainly.
The story of Alex broke my heart. That poor little boy touched me in such a way that I was angry and just so sad for him and what he is going through. And then when you think about how many others like him are out there, its overwhelming and completely depressing. The story told of Kelby was least effective in the film. She tells her story well but we never actually see any of the bigotry or bullying that she states is happening to her. Other than her testimony and that of her father's there is no actual footage of it happening. Furthermore, I was disgusted when her father says that he offered them all to move to a bigger place where she would be more easily accepted and not as outcasted and she refused because "then they win." Sorry, but that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. She's not being a martyr or a hero staying in a place where she is supposedly tortured day after day. I also felt like in cases like Ja'Maya and Tyler that I honestly believe that not enough was done to protect them. Same in the case of Alex. The adults all know what is going on but they essentially let it go on. Yes, the parents hold their town hall meeting or visit with school officials but with zero outcome. I understand they feel their hands are tied or they feel hopeless as well but step one to me would be REMOVE THOSE KIDS FROM THEIR SCHOOLS. Step two would be have parents on the buses, at the schools, and in those classrooms like martial law in the hallways. Yes, I know this seems unrealistic but so does poor innocent children being tortured.
Bravo to director and documentary creator Lee Hirsch for bringing this revolting and disgusting crime to light. And also shame on Lee Hirsch for creating a documentary with no real facts, or figures, or solutions or anyone over the age of 15 who actually cares about these kids enough to go above and beyond and do something. The only thing I can hope is that the film somehow enrages someone enough to start their own protest or war against the bullies. While the film insists that it is a movie every kid needs to watch and I think the idea was to appeal to teenagers and kids who might be bullies themselves, I don't think that a teenager will even be phased by this. I'm not saying it wasn't a good documentary, it had its brilliance about it, but I am saying that I think it misses its mark and leaves you feeling hopeless, empty and depressed. I could never put a grade out of ten on this film. What you see is what you get certainly.