Tyler's story is just one of the bullying scenarios you see played out in "Bully." The film is an often heartbreaking reminder of how hard it can be to be a kid. At times, it's painful to watch such raw honesty and raw insight into unhappy situations.
The poor kid can't catch a break, and by the time the film is over, you'll want to fire his school's principal yourself.
"Bully" goes beyond showing you the pain kids feel from bullying. You also see how it devastates parents, what it's like to feel all alone and what it's like to be different in a town that rejects that notion.
This movie, whether you like it or not, is going to take you back to school when maybe you were bullied - or perhaps you were the bully. The memories will likely flood back. I know they did for me.
The film does not shy away from the tough subjects, including suicide, so it may be troubling for younger audiences to digest.
"Bully" may frustrate you at times, seeing the pain and wishing you could just give a kid a hug.
This is a very powerful movie, but it's definitely sad and heartbreaking and head shaking and, at times, tough. If i made it, I would have probably bleeped out those "F" words, hoping for a PG-13 rating.
Kids hear that word all the time. But what they'd see in "Bully" might open their eyes to learning. But since it's unrated, it's in fewer theaters.
