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Quickie Review - Bully (Documentary)

I had my Netflix copy of Bully at home for a two weeks and didn't get around to it.  I finally watched it on Monday and it's taken me this long to write about it.  Here was my issue.  I didn't want to watch it when I was going to see my kids the next day.  With a week off, I figured I'd watch it and then react with an open mind.  It's taken me four days to get around to it.

First off let's get to the topic.  School bullying.  It's a topic that is nearly impossible to study for a multitude of reasons, but the reality is, it's been around forever and we've accepted it into our lives, just as we have sexual abuse and multiple forms of discrimination.  What we don't like to talk about is the effects of bullying, because they are, at times, catastrophic.  The movie tackles all of them.

Bully, as far as documentaries go, is not exceptional in it's delivery or it's editing.  Watching the bonus material will explain what I mean.  Where it is exceptional is in it's honesty.  These kids stand no chance, not only in school, but in life, if this behavior continues.  These kids will end up stressed, abused, six, substance dependent, depressed and in extreme cases, dead or maybe even murderers.  The movie tackles this on a lower lever with my second thought, but full force on suicide.

I wish for everyone to see this movie.  I feel it should be mandatory for school children  The problem is the ratings board slammed it with a PG-13 rating (originally an R). The reason "abuse and violence against children that some might find disturbing."  This is the irony of the world we live in.  It's accepted that it is done, but not acceptable that it is viewed.  The movie will make anyone cry. It will make you feel for those being bullied and I would assume, would make bullies sick of their own behavior. There is one scene where we see an 11-year-old crying at his best friend's funeral and then him talking about his own bullying ways when he was younger.

There is no salvation in this movie.  Aside from one character, who became popular, only due to notoriety, the rest of the people, moved from their homes, tried to rebuild their lives, while under counseling and a father and mother who lived with the memory of their child and are trying to make a difference. I hope everyone can find the time in their lives to view this, because it's not only about kids lives, but our own humanity.  Children who bully grow up to be bullies.  Their victims grow to be victims most often.  I can't imagine if I had seen this in 4th or 5th grade, how much it would have changed some people's lives.

There are aspects of the film that I didn't like. Some points made to vague and some to clear (with prejudice), but to see the effects on the families involved was truly heartbreaking. Please, if you have children, see this film.

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