Graphic, shocking, but good

As each year goes by, it seems films have less substance. Therefore, it's a real shock to the system when a daring, edgy and immensely well done work is released amidst mainstream mediocrity -- a film that knocks you on your ass -- a film such as Larry Clark's "Bully."\n"Bully" chronicles the entirely true incidents leading up to and following the brutal, group-orchestrated murder of heinous bully Bobby Kent (Nick Stahl), which occurred in southern Florida in 1993.\nBobby and Marty (Brad Renfro) have been friends for as long as either could remember. But along with the friendship comes an unrelenting cycle of verbal, physical and sometimes sexual abuse that Bobby willfully exacts against Marty.\nMarty eventually falls in love with a shy wallflower named Lisa (Rachel Miner). Lisa can't stand the way Bobby freely belittles Marty, and she fears the constant threat of rape toward her and her friend Ali (Bijou Phillips).\nInevitably, Lisa suggests to Marty they should kill Bobby. Soon after, Lisa enlists the services of her lonely, videogame-addicted cousin, Derek (Daniel Franzese), Ali's drug-addled boyfriend Donny (Michael Pitt) and Heather (Kelli Garner), a recent rehab escapee. The group amounts to very little and seeks outside help from a hilarious Mafioso wannabe known simply as Hitman (Leo Fitzpatrick).\nIn wake of the killing at Columbine in 1999, "Bully" is an incredibly bold and brave film. Clark, the director of the somewhat similarly themed "Kids," should be applauded for the way in which he unrelentingly depicts the lives of aimless teens. As should the film's cast, especially Miner, who serves as a teenage incarnation of Lady Macbeth, Renfro, who brings a warped sense of sensitivity to his role and Stahl, who creates one of the most loathsome characters to have ever graced the screen.\n"Bully" is an incredibly powerful film, one that should be viewed and discussed by mature children and parents. Sadly, "Bully" was released with little fanfare, and will most certainly turn many off because of its pervasive sexuality and graphic violence. Hopefully, viewers can look past these baser elements and see the issues at hand. Without a doubt, "Bully" is the most socially relevant and thought-provoking film released this year.