BUG - Special Edition
Bug (Special Edition)
Rated: R
Features:
Bug : An Introduction
A Discussion with
William Friedkin
Audio Commentary by Director
William Friedkin
Running Time: 101 Minutes
Before the movie
Bug hit theaters in May, the trailer proceeding the film’s release led you to believe that acclaimed director
William Friedkin was back with a horror film on par with that of
The Exorcist, his seminal horror movie that changed the genre forever. Upon further examination, we come to realize
Bug is nothing more than a study of human delusion taken to an extreme level. The film, which is based on the famous play and adapted for the screen by its author Tracy Letts, never really gains its traction to instill that fear and paranoia in the viewer.
Ashley Judd plays Agnes, a recluse waitress who lives in a motel by herself and battles a drug and alcohol addiction. We find out this addiction was brought on by the loss of her son and a separation from an abusive husband, played wonderfully by
Harry Connick Jr. Though a loner, Agnes meets Peter, portrayed by the play’s lead Michael Shannon. Agnes’ acceptance of Peter into her world is a little suspect since the film has already showed us that this is a woman who is used to being by herself and has trouble connecting with people. Peter moves in and drags Agnes into a world where they believe bugs control their lives; and even though the viewer never see the bugs, it causes Agnes and Peter to experience immense fear which leads to psychosis and self-mutilation. Eventually the paranoia grows so great that Peter murders someone he believes to be a robot even though it is clear he is a human. Peter convinces the already fragile Agnes that it was all the plan of the government to get to them. The film resolves as Peter and Agnes believe they are the cause of the unseen bugs overtaking them and light themselves on fire in order to prevent the insects from spreading any further.
The film, which had great potential to be something special, is never able to engage the viewer and fails to draw you into the world of delusion and fear the characters share. While the movie is expertly shot by
Friedkin - and
Ashley Judd gives one of the most riveting performances - it is wasted on the sub par source material and boring screenplay.
The true gem of this DVD release is a 28 minute Q&A featurette with director
William Friedkin, which gives an interesting look into the mindset of the director. One terrific story Friedkin tells isn’t related to
Bug but the level of quality control that he adapted for
The Exorcist when it played on 26 screens during its release in the 70’s. The DVD also has an 11 minute feature about the casting and the filming of
Bug , as well as full-length commentary by Friedkin offering insights into the movie and story. Unfortunately, the Extras fail to give us the real answer as to why the viewer spent an hour and forty-one minutes watching this ultimately disappointing film.
