बिग बुली

I like this film. Not that the plot, acting, script, etc. would worry any kind of awards ceremony on a bad year because they are pretty awful. It's just that the film is watchable at 2am when you need to be bored to sleep by a sappy American movie. That's all I can say about it.

The plot is so transparent and formulaic that a five-year-old could have told you the ending, and has more holes than fine lace. The acting is notably bad on all counts. When the established leads get upstaged by an unknown 10 year-old you have to worry. Rick Moranis plays his usual weedy character and Tom Arnold plays his childhood bully. Not challenging parts and this shows; they aren't even trying.

I, like many others, was bullied at school and found the story interesting in that it showed both sides but the cheezy(TM) subplot involving their children was forced and let down the one saving grace.

All in all, I give this film 2/5. Watchable but certainly not worth missing anything else for.

Big Bully is a film filled with laughter and tears. It's the story of a man who loses his family and finds himself in the process. It's about choices, how the small decisions we make can affect us for the rest of our lives. Not for fans of Stephen King.

An elementary school nerd, plagued by insecurity and the need to fit in, lives in a nightmare at the hands of a big, fearsome bully. Nearly twenty years later he's moved on with his life, has a son, and has made a name for himself as a successful writer. He returns home as a local celebrity to join the teaching staff, but once again encounters his old childhood nemesis who's bent on repeating the same torment despite their advanced ages. Not as bad as it sounds, featuring two likable, enthusiastic leads who provide some occasional laughs, but the frequent dedication to juvenile slapstick grows tiresome after a while. Fans of the actors may not mind. **

Much to my surprise, I was actually finding this to be an amusing film for the first hour or so. I laughed more than a few times, and there was a touch of humanity that seemed to fit rather well. Then, for no good reason, the writers tacked on a pathetic ending that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I would even say that this was a good movie for the most part, but the STUPID showdown at the end killed all credibility that had been created. How aggravating.

Predictable but still fun to watch. Everyone will be able to relate to this move, either as Davie or Rosco. Tom Arnold was great. Not as great as his True Lies part, but funny still. Rick Moranis is his typical wimpish self. Great movie for remembering your old school days.

(5 out of 10)