Some people have posted that just because WWE is behind this movie it will be lame. I could not disagree more. This is a serious movie that should be shown in all schools. The timing and subject matter could not be better considering the issues that are out now regarding bullying. With Ed Harris and Amy Madigan acting in this production, I have high hopes for it and really hope the message that being different is "ok" really comes across.
shareI agree. Bullying is finally getting attention but still not enough attention.
The only real issue of the movie is the time period (1965). Bullying has always been an issue. Bias against anyone who is "different" has always been around in one form or another.
Todays problem is that bullying, slander, rumors and gossip have taken on a far more serious dimension with the aid of "technology". Today we now have the term cyber bullying which is something that could not even be imagined in 1965. People are bullyed online and on hight tech phones. Events of attacks against kids are recorded on phones and posted and circulated in a matter of minutes. Ugly rumors and gossip spread like wildfire.
Today kids have weapons used to bully and to retaliate. You rarely heard of guns in schools in the 60's.
The rumors about the alleged "homo" (gay) teacher can damage a persons reputation and career for life. Kids have comitted suicide over bullying and rumor spreading. i know of a teacher that did the same. He had a "sterling" reputation for 13 years at the same school. One incident which he admitted to an inappropriate judgement, was blown totally out of proportion and he was tried and convicted by the media befor he could even tell what happened.
The matter od bullying and rumor has gotten VERY serious; especially when people think that killing themselves is preferable to the tortures they face with bullying, gossip rumor and damaged reputations.
I would like to see a movie about the problems that exist in TODAYS society. ANY movie that brings more awareness to the problem if it is done in a manner that shows concern and compassion for the victims.
But that is the beauty of it. This movie IS about the problems that we face in today's society. We face ignorance, prejudice, and bullying and doubt just the same. Bullying is no worse now then it was 30 years ago. Sure, there are different ways that it is done with the internet being a central point in modern life, but it is not all that different. The character Big G would have reacted to attacks via Facebook the same way he did from a squirt gun. With dignity.
Suicides are not increasing because bullying is worse today, it is because kids have less sense of self. "I am a singer." That is how Big G sees himself, nothing can take that away from him. Until you have that solid image of yourself, you still see yourself as others say, which allows bullies to tear you down. Allows others to fill you with shame.
You can never stop all the bullies in the world, no matter how hard you try, or what laws you create. Instead, instill confidence and sense of self in children, and bullies will lose most of their power, the mental power.
Great movie! So sad though that bullying seems to be a timeless story line in real life.
shareWhen I awoke this morning, my very first thought was seeking revenge on the bully who gave me so much grief in middle school. Could I find him on Facebook? In the phonebook? I could do some very bad things to that boy. Did I forget to mention that this all happened 40 years ago? It stays with you.
And I remember in high school when a shrimpy little guy was picking on Susan Rh***holt, the ugliest girl in school (so sad to say that), and I just ignored it. I often think she is probably a prosecuting attorney now, taking her revenge on everyone ever accused. It stays with you.
This movie touches on bullying without overdoing it. Just understand this. Bullying has been around undoubtedly since the beginning of time and will be with us until we are extinct.
Just understand this. Bullying has been around undoubtedly since the beginning of time and will be with us until we are extinct.