Bug

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Horrorphile - February 2008

Bug

February 5th 2008 02:54

Based on an off-Broadway stage production of the same name by actor-cum-writer Tracy Letts (who also did the screenplay), Bug (2006) is an intense character study dealing with the deep haunt of prolonged loneliness and the crippling and too often tragic consequences of delusional paranoia. Bug is a unique descent into fear and madness.

Bug is directed by legendary Hollywood helmsman William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist, Sorcerer, To Live and Die in L.A.). It tells the story of lonely Agnes White (Ashley Judd), who lives on her own in a rundown Oklahoma motel room. She works at a lesbian bar and drinks and smokes illicit substances in her spare time. She means well, but is plagued by her past; namely her abusive ex-husband Goss (Harry Connick Jr.), whom has just been paroled and seeks to re-unite with her, if only to harass her.

Late one night Agnes’s colleague and, probably, only real friend R.C. (Lynn Collins) joins her in her motel room. She’s brought a stranger, a drifter who’d been at the bar earlier that night. His name is Peter Evans (Michael Shannon), and he’s shy and a little eccentric to say the least. But Agnes and Peter share an odd affinity, lost souls whose ships have scraped by each other in the uneasy night.

Agnes (Ashley Judd) and her ex-husband Goss (Harry Conick Jr).

Agnes and Peter begin a tentative relationship, even with Peter reluctant to be intimate. After they have sex, in the middle of the night, Peter discovers he’s been bitten by an insect of some kind; a bed-bug no doubt. Agnes is confused, she can’t see any bugs, but Peter is adamant. This in turn triggers his heightened wariness, and inevitably several truths (or are they?) emerge about his and her past. They are indeed, damaged goods. And with the bug infestation that Peter is convinced about, the damage is only going to escalate.

Michael Shannon plays Peter Evans

Bug deals with the mask of sanity, about the struggle between good and evil, and about the irrationality of fear and dread. It’s also about conspiracy and addiction, substance abuse, and schizophrenia; all very dark, troubling themes.

The bugs arrive, much to Peter's concern and Agnes's confusion

What makes the film so interesting is the way the narrative unfolds, with the viewer never wholly knowing what is cold reality and what is lucid nightmare. Is Peter’s military infirmary tales true? Is his take on machines and government control convincing? Seems Agnes is convinced ... or perhaps it’s the drug-induced psychosis that’s turning the tables on everyone?

Bug Lynn Collins, Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon

R.C. (Lynn Collins) and Peter try and help Agnes who is convinced a bug is under her skin

Being based on a play nearly all of the movie takes place in the motel room, but director Friedkin never lets you feel like you’re watching a play adapted for the big screen, even though that’s exactly what it is. The mise-en-scene is very cinematic, and Friedkin is constantly evoking a strong atmosphere and visual style.

Peter is determined to rid his body of any bugs, including ones living in his teeth

The acting is top notch, especially Michael Shannon, so creepily good, having performed it on stage through most of its original theatrical run. But props must go to Ashley Judd, an actor I’ve always admired, who is put through the emotional wringer on this one, not to mention going through the de-glamour gauntlet, while Harry Connick Jr is surprisingly effective as the buffed-up prick of an ex (who'd have thought a crooner would make such a convincing asshole?)

As Peter and Agnes take matters to extreme measures, so their fear and paranoia increases ten fold

Bug is flawed; the second half never manages to match the intrigue and inherent tension of the first half, instead the two leads descending into fully-fledged paranoid psychosis and all-round hysteria. However the narrative arc is still powerful, even if it does border on the insanely absurd. Some viewers will no doubt guffaw in a couple of scenes, just as many will be appalled and horrified when Peter starts to act in extreme measures.

Bug is by no means easy consumption, it’s demanding, thought-provoking, disturbing and quite definitely unhinged. But it also makes crazy sense … especially if you’re into conspiracy theories and hooked on crystal methamphetamine. Itching, scratching, open wounds, anyone? Arghh! The bugs, the bugs, the BUGS!

You don't believe me?! I dare you to watch this clip ... and crawl with abject horror!

And here's the theatrical trailer, just to rub it in:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

11 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Damo

February 5th 2008 03:36

For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics

How much drugs are these dude doing.
The army dude is seriously taking too much.

Comment by D. Armenta

February 5th 2008 03:50

The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan

You just had to dare me, didn't you Bryn?!

That guy reminds me of my ex-husband. Seriously, no kidding around.

I saw Harry Connick, Jr. in a T.V. movie as a stalker/rapist; I was very impressed with his performance then, so not surprised when you say he did well in this one.

Ugh, still shuddering....

Comment by Tracy

February 5th 2008 04:18

Movies and Life

I'm too scared to watch the clips...

Comment by Bryn

February 5th 2008 04:46

Horrorphile

Damo, the drug use in the film is mostly peripheral ... We see Agnes and RC snort a little charlie and smoke some pot, but yeah, there's an insidious glass pipe on show ... ice ice baby, it ain't pretty ...

Armenta, your ex was like Harry Connick's character, or Michael Shannon's? One's a bastard, the other's psychotic.

Tracy ... do it! doooo it! just dooooo iiiiit!!!!

Comment by Tracy

February 5th 2008 04:56

Movies and Life

Aahhhhh!!

Comment by Bryn

February 5th 2008 08:25

Horrorphile

You took the plunge? Bug challenges Marathon Man for extreme dentistry horror ...

Comment by Tracy

February 5th 2008 21:43

Movies and Life

It was awful!!

Comment by Bryn

February 5th 2008 22:00

Horrorphile

I'll take that as high praise then ...

Comment by Tracy

February 5th 2008 22:05

Movies and Life

I finally got the courage to think about a dentist's appt and then I watched that...now I'm back into teeth denial...

Ah well

Comment by Bryn

February 6th 2008 05:10

Horrorphile

Don't talk to me about dentist's appointments ....

Comment by Tracy

February 6th 2008 05:40

Movies and Life

What a pity, I was hoping you could reassure me....

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