Agnes is a distraught and terrified woman. Her son has disappeared, her deranged husband has been released from jail, and she has a cocaine addiction. One day, while working at a waitress at a gay bar, she is introduced to Peter. Peter is a paranoid wreck as well, dangerously paranoid about the government as well as being a casual user of Methamphetamine. Peter and Agnes shack up and start having a rather loving and hot affair. Despite the constant phone calls and the relentless home invasions by Agnes's husband, the two become inseparable. Unfortunately, their enjoyment doesn't last long when it is discovered that there is a bug infestation.
This is, perhaps, my favorite William Friedkin film. William Friedkin has made some of the most challenging and thought-provoking films of mainstream cinema. BUG is perhaps his most challenging, and that is very surprising coming from the same man who directed such films as RULES OF ENGAGEMENT and CRUISING. What makes BUG so strong a film is that, unlike most other Hollywood films, the film doesn't rush. It takes it's time in developing a real mood and a real sense of understanding and sympathy for the characters. It allows the feelings that the characters have for each other speak for themselves, rather than suck us in with superficial details and tricks with sappy music and false emotion. The film stays grounded in it's original sense of characterization and it doesn't bother to try and hype up or play on with anything. The result is a film that is uncommonly effective and straight-forward.
BUG is perhaps one of the best romantic black comedies to come out in the last twenty years. While it may not have the look and feel of a 90s Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan film, it has the same emotional and humorous qualities. Sure, there are moments of horror at a few intervals, but they don't take away from the loving aspect. The love scenes are not sugarcoated, nor are they kept behind closed doors. These characters are real and they exist and their love is genuine. Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon have EXCELLENT chemistry and I really was deeply touched by the way their characters interacted. Their gradual developments are so personal that the ending scenes of the film come off a lot more moving because of it.
What surprises me the most about this film is what it could have been rather than what it is. It could have been a shocking, horrific, and sick film about two mentally diseased drug addicts who go berserk and look like complete freaks like something out of an early Tobe Hooper film, but William Friedkin doesn't take the easy way out. You get the sense that he adores his characters and you can tell that he cares about them immensely. He allows the chemistry of the characters to grow and develop and he edits the film in such a seamless and simple way that you only feel warmth rather than horror. While there are a couple of disturbing scenes, the sense of love shines a lot more. This isn't a horror film. There aren't any jump scares or goofiness. There is hardly any blood and gore. This film is much more powerful than you would expect.
I think the reason why a lot of people hate this film is because they were expecting a gross out horror film. Those people need to understand that William Friedkin is known for being the creator of a lot more films besides THE EXORCIST. People need to realize that this film is a love story based on a play that I heard was equally beautiful and touching. BUG is a terrific film and I highly recommend it to people who are especially interested in seeing a side of life that we normally never see.
This is, perhaps, my favorite William Friedkin film. William Friedkin has made some of the most challenging and thought-provoking films of mainstream cinema. BUG is perhaps his most challenging, and that is very surprising coming from the same man who directed such films as RULES OF ENGAGEMENT and CRUISING. What makes BUG so strong a film is that, unlike most other Hollywood films, the film doesn't rush. It takes it's time in developing a real mood and a real sense of understanding and sympathy for the characters. It allows the feelings that the characters have for each other speak for themselves, rather than suck us in with superficial details and tricks with sappy music and false emotion. The film stays grounded in it's original sense of characterization and it doesn't bother to try and hype up or play on with anything. The result is a film that is uncommonly effective and straight-forward.
BUG is perhaps one of the best romantic black comedies to come out in the last twenty years. While it may not have the look and feel of a 90s Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan film, it has the same emotional and humorous qualities. Sure, there are moments of horror at a few intervals, but they don't take away from the loving aspect. The love scenes are not sugarcoated, nor are they kept behind closed doors. These characters are real and they exist and their love is genuine. Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon have EXCELLENT chemistry and I really was deeply touched by the way their characters interacted. Their gradual developments are so personal that the ending scenes of the film come off a lot more moving because of it.
What surprises me the most about this film is what it could have been rather than what it is. It could have been a shocking, horrific, and sick film about two mentally diseased drug addicts who go berserk and look like complete freaks like something out of an early Tobe Hooper film, but William Friedkin doesn't take the easy way out. You get the sense that he adores his characters and you can tell that he cares about them immensely. He allows the chemistry of the characters to grow and develop and he edits the film in such a seamless and simple way that you only feel warmth rather than horror. While there are a couple of disturbing scenes, the sense of love shines a lot more. This isn't a horror film. There aren't any jump scares or goofiness. There is hardly any blood and gore. This film is much more powerful than you would expect.
I think the reason why a lot of people hate this film is because they were expecting a gross out horror film. Those people need to understand that William Friedkin is known for being the creator of a lot more films besides THE EXORCIST. People need to realize that this film is a love story based on a play that I heard was equally beautiful and touching. BUG is a terrific film and I highly recommend it to people who are especially interested in seeing a side of life that we normally never see.