Bang Bang You're Dead
"Kids can be the most ruthless of people. Supernaturally cruel."
The words of once model student Trevor Adams reflect his experiences at Riverdale High. He was the victim of such traumatizing bullying that it drove him to threaten to blow up the school football team. But his salvation comes in the form of drama teacher Mr. Duncan (Tom Cananagh, TV's "Ed"). He offers Trevor the lead role in the school play alongside his gorgeous co-star Jenny Dahlquist. Both teacher and would-be girlfriend try to help him stay on the straight and narrow. But the play is in jeapordy: its dark plot about playground killers combined with Trevor's troubled past prompts local parents to try and get the play axed. If they succeed, Trevor may never have his voice heard and that could be the trigger that sets off a human time bomb. Also starring Emmy Award nominee Janel Moloney (TV's "The West Wing").
Member Reviews
great acting saves it from soggy melodrama - tamarindball
I expected absolutely nothing out of this movie; I can't even remember why I put it on my Zip rental list to begin with.
But after watching Ben Foster for only a few minutes, I was pretty sure I hadn't wasted my money. Most people probably know him as Angel in X-3 (although if you're Canadian you probably grew up watching Foster with Jewel Staite in Flash Forward), and relying on those two performances to guess what Foster would do in Bang Bang would lead you astray.
In the hands of a more conventional actor, the character of Trevor Adams — a withdrawn, sullen kid who teeters on the brink of violence — would have come off as overwrought, melodramatic, and downright irritating. But Foster plays him with a welcome restraint; he's grim without being emo, he's sympathetic without being cloying. It's a very precarious role but he pulls it off so skillfully that you never doubt what his character's going through, and in the context of this film there couldn't be a better way to play it.
Trevor's schoolmates are also played with sensitivity and depth by Randy Harrison (Justin Taylor from Queer as Folk US) and Jane McGregor; both actors produce nuanced and engaging performances that are very affecting.
In fact, I would say that the weakest performance comes from Tom Cavanaugh, who plays the requisite "teacher who believes in the kids' inherent goodness". He's so overplayed it's almost embarrassing, especially when he's in scenes with Foster and comes out looking very much like the amateur.
The story doesn't particularly have any wild twists or anything, but I will say that it ends on a far more hopeful note than I thought it would. My own high school experience was nothing like what the movie portrays, but the acting was so excellent that I had no problems getting pulled into the story.A disturbing look - Spartan
"Bang Bang You're Dead" was a great wake-up call. The premise behind the movie hits close to home with many. Whether it be, being bullied, being a parent in today's uneasy society, etc. What I really enjoyed about this film was the climatic ending. I cannot say enough to praise this film.
Member Reviews
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great acting saves it from soggy melodrama - tamarindball
I expected absolutely nothing out of this movie; I can't even remember why I put it on my Zip rental list to begin with.
But after watching Ben Foster for only a few minutes, I was pretty sure I hadn't wasted my money. Most people probably know him ...A disturbing look - Spartan
"Bang Bang You're Dead" was a great wake-up call. The premise behind the movie hits close to home with many. Whether it be, being bullied, being a parent in today's uneasy society, etc. What I really enjoyed about this film was the climatic ending. I cannot ...