BUG
/
2008
DIRECTOR: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN
CINEMATOGRAPHER: MICHAEL GRADY
WRITER: TRACY LETTS (play & screenplay)
BUDGET: $4,000,000
GROSS: $8,095,658 (worldwide)
Bug is a film that came and went, back in 2007, with relatively little fanfare. Which I remember finding somewhat surprising given that it was directed by William Friedkin. Although, maybe I shouldn’t have been, given that most of the general film-going public probably wouldn’t recognize the name or his place in film history.
The script was written by Tracy Letts, based on his play and stars Ashley Judd as Agnes, a lonely waitress living in a rundown motel. Her abusive ex-husband has been recently released from jail, and her lesbian co-worker has introduced her to Peter (Michael Shannon) a strange drifter. They become friends and then the 'bugs' arrive.
No, this isn’t some horror thing a la Eight Legged Freaks with big bugs they have to fight. Rather, this is much more of a psychological horror/thriller about reality, psychosis, loneliness and fear.
The film has a very claustrophobic feel to it, with 95% of it taking place in Agnes's motel room. And as things descend further and further into madness it feels like the room is slowly closing in on them.
I also have to mention the two leads. Both Judd and Shannon are very good and I’m not always a big fan of Miss Judd's. This time, however, she really pulls it off and there’s a great scene near the end of the movie where she has this crazy monologue - and it’s just great.
Another thing I liked about the film and the script was that it wasn't all about trying to figure out if Peter was crazy or not. So many times these kinds of films rely on the audience not being sure who to believe. Here there is of course a little of that, but I think that just goes to our skeptical human nature. Besides that though, once things start to go, you’re pretty sure you know what the truth is. What that does, is focus the story and our attention on the characters and their descent into crazy. And, on Ashley Judd's part, her conversion and descent given her need to have someone to love.
Friendkin has made some great films in the past (The Exorcist, The French Connection) and some really bad ones as well (Jade). In fact, it’s been awhile since he has done anything worth really talking about. Until now. Bug was probably the least promoted film he had done in years, but it is also one of the best.