 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bully
- Review Date: March 30, 2012
- PG-13
- Genre: Documentary
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Powerful docu addresses critically important issue for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Bully is a no-holds-barred documentary that intimately portrays bullying victims' daily lives. While it's often heartbreaking and deals with tough issues like suicide, the movie addresses an incredibly important, timely topic -- bullying -- in a frank, relatable way that's age appropriate for teens and relevant for middle schoolers if an adult is present to guide discussion. Bully's strong language (including a brutal, profanity-laden scene in which one boy says to another that he'll "shove a broomstick up your a--" and "cut your face off and s--t") earned it an R rating from the MPAA (a rating that the production company chose not to accept, officially releasing the film as unrated), but none of the swearing is gratuitous. Like it or not, it's a realistic portrayal of what every middle schooler and older hears every day. This gives the film veracity and credibility with kids, and it will justifiably shock parents.
Bully's most challenging material isn't just the language, but the suicides. Seeing grieving parents and friends could potentially be upsetting to teens and preteens, so they should definitely watch with adults. Bully also addresses the concepts of cutting, physical abuse, and more, but in a way that presents the consequences as well as the behavior itself. Victims' parents are generally portrayed as supportive and loving, while school administrators come off in a much less positive light. Ultimately, Bully encourages kids to stand up to bullies, not stand by, and reinforces the fact that everyone can make a difference when it comes to this essential issue.
What's the story?
BULLY takes a frank, head-on look at the bullying epidemic happening in America's middle and high schools. It profiles several young victims -- including Alex, a 12-year-old in Sioux City, Iowa, who endures merciless teasing and physical abuse on the school bus every day, and Kelby, a 16-year-old in Tuttle, Okla., who has been ostracized and attacked ever since coming out as a lesbian. In telling their stories and others, Bully explores the full range of bullying's impact on kids, their families, and their communities, from the devastation of teen suicide to frustrated parents getting nowhere with school administrators. And, more than anything, it encourages teens to make a difference -- to stand up against bullying instead of standing by.
Is it any good?
Bully is heartbreaking, moving, infuriating, and indisputably essential viewing for middle- and high-schoolers and their parents. It's impossible not to be affected by the stories of these tweens and teens; you'll tear up when Tyler Long's parents recount what drove their 17-year-old firstborn to suicide, and you'll want to scream at the administrator who downplays Alex's parents' concerns when they come in to talk about how to keep their son safe on his way to and from school. Particularly chilling is the story of 14-year-old Ja'Meya, who ended up brandishing a gun at her bullies when she felt pushed to the edge of her endurance. No one was hurt, but the fact that she even considered that as a response to her situation shows you just how much pain some kids are in every day.
Bully is a little bit on the slow side for teens (and it might have been a better fit for school viewing at an hour's length), but it's also extremely relevant and relatable. It's gritty, but that very grittiness is what gives it the power to hook teens in and open their eyes to what's probably going on around them every day. And that, in turn, could help convince kids that they really do have the power to make a difference.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about an individual's responsibility to stand up, not stand by. Is that easy to do? How do you think people can really make a difference against bullies?
Parents, talk to your kids about teen suicide. This is an incredibly tough topic, but one that needs to be addressed. What makes some people think that it's their only option? What impact does their decision have on their friends and family? Where can kids in despair turn for assistance?
Bullying is often seen as physical abuse, but Bully shows that words are just as powerful. Talk about the different ways that people can bully others; what has the most lasting impact?
Bully doesn't spend too much time discussing the online/digital side of the issue. Teens: How does cyberbullying impact you and your peers?
School administrators come off very poorly in Bully, and there's lots of blaming the victim. Do you think administrators leave victims feeling completely discounted? Who else can bullying victims turn to for help?
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AGE
Very relevant movie!
This is a film that should be seen by all kids from 4th or 5th grade up. Bullying is most prevalent in middle school and slacks off during high school. Kids who bully generally lack empathy for others and lack appreciation for differences. This movie is most important! Take your kids to see it and talk about bullying afterwards.
Edward F. Dragan, EdD, author, "The Bully Action Guide: How to Help Your Child and Get Your School to Listen."
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AGE
The website for the documentary is very informative, there is a petition to lower the R rating.
Given that the documentary is not out yet I really can not review it but I did spend a lot of time reading through the material on the documentary website, which is very informative and gives a very good overview of what the scope and objectives of the film are. If anyone wants to sign the petition to lower the rating from R to PG-13 (not sure if I am out of bounds here) it is hosted at Change.org.
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AGE
thg
let me tell all the familiys that want to take there children to see this it's ok they even have a facebook page to vote for it to be PG 13 please vote i did.
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Kid, 6 years old
March 9, 2012
AGE
Great Example of what bullying is.
This movie is a great example for what happens in real life. It shows what actually happens to millions of innocent victims that are or were bullied as a child. Although this movie is very vulgar, children need to see that this is what bullies can and say to innocent victims.
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AGE
R Rating?
I have no problem with an "R" rating because many people bring children much younger to PG-13 movies without giving it a second thought. MPAA ratings don't mean much to me anyway. I use "Common Sense Media" and "PluggedIn dot com" as well as "screenit dot com" before seeing a movie or bringing my kids to one.
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Kid, 11 years old
March 10, 2012
AGE
About time parents take wake up
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AGE
Bully
Thank you all for sharing your insight regarding this important film!
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AGE
Mother of Middle Schooled child.
I watched this with my 12 year old son. We discussed it afterwards and again the day after to see if anything else came up he hadn't digested yet. We both really liked it alot. Yes, their is the F bomb, but nothing worse that he doesn't hear daily from his class mates. So it was realistic. The hardness wasn't even as bad as he has to endure , daily.
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AGE
Right on
I think this movie is appropriate for kids 12 and up
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AGE
it is good
i think this will help kids know bullys are meen and they will grow up to rot in prison
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| Topics: | high school, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Weinstein Co. |
| Director: | Lee Hirsch |
| Genre: | Documentary |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 30, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense thematic material, disturbing content, and some strong language -- all involving kids (initially rated R for some language) |
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