Bug is a 2006 American horror/thriller directed by William Friedkin, and starring Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Shannon. The film is based on the play of the same name written by Tracy Letts. The film is rated R by the MPAA for some strong violence, sexuality, nudity, language, and drug use.
Plot
Bug is about a lonely woman named Agnes living at a run down motel in Oklahoma. She lost her boy some time ago and apparently blames herself for all her sorrows. She also has suspicions that her ex-husband named Jerry, who is abusive, has been recently released from prison and calling her daily without answering. She doesn't go out much but her lesbian girlfriend comes around and takes her out for a good time every now and then, one night bringing back a unique male figure named Peter (expatriate) for Agnes to talk to. Once Agnes shows a liking to Peter, they form a confessional bond; a time during which Jerry appears unannounced and attempts to reunite with Agnes. He is warded off by the presence of Peter but shows up a number of times to interfere with the current situation. Agnes and Peter start living together and conclude that their living space is infested with bugs. At this point, they are heavily influenced by the delusion that not only their home but their lives are infested with bugs. Their flourishing romance takes a very dark and mysterious path causing problems with everyone they know and contributing to an unparalled ending.
Cast
Settings
Most of the action takes place in a seedy Oklahoma motel room. The film's set design was done by Franco-Giacomo Carbone, the production designer of films such as Hostel and Rocky Balboa. The scenario has three interconnected rooms: bathroom, kitchenette and living room. At one point in the movie, the room has several dozen fly strips hanging from the ceiling. At another point the entire room is covered from floor to ceiling in tinfoil.[1] Friedkin has said the tinfoil was a nightmare to work with, because it had to be constantly repaired, and because it reflected everybody who was there, including the crew.[2]
Bug was filmed near Mammoth, California and at Grace King High School[1] in Metairie, near New Orleans.[3] Some scenes were shot at Migliore’s Grocery and Boomerang’s Bar, in New Sarpy.[4] The film is produced and financed by L.I.F.T. Production, Bug LLC, DMK Medienfonds and Lionsgate.
Releases and responses
Bug received its world premiere in France at the Directors' Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2006.[5] Film critic Roger Ebert wrote: "The film has caused a stir at Cannes, not least because its stars, Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon, achieve a kind of manic intensity that’s frightening not just in itself but because you fear for the actors."[2] It was released to theaters in France on February 21, 2007. It drew praise from most critics in France, but did not reach the top in the box office.[3] In its opening week in France, it ranked as number 20 of the most visited films of the week, and earned $216,244 from 66 screens.[4][5]
The film received its U.S. Premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 25, 2006, in Austin, Texas. Bug debuted in the US at 1,661 theaters on May 25, 2007. In its opening weekend it earned $3.24 million, and ranked as number four, of the most seen films of the weekend, placed behind the threequels Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Shrek 3 and Spider-Man 3.[6]
Bug received a very limited UK release on November 9 2007. It received generally positive reviews from the UK media, receiving three out of five in The Guardian and being Mark Kermode's film of the week on BBC Radio 5 Live.
As of June 8, Bug was at 331 theaters nationwide. Bug received mixed to positive reviews from film critics. It has a 58% "Rotten" overall approval out of 122 reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while scoring a 70% "Fresh" rating out of 33 reviews from RottenTomatoes-designated "Top Critics."[7] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 62 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews" based on 29 reviews.[8]
Bug was released on DVD[9], and on Blu-ray[10] on September 25, 2007. It was also available on HD DVD as a German exclusive.
Music
Chris Cornell's "Disappearing Act", is heard in the movie only.[11] Serj Tankian and Petra Jolly's "Innermission"[12] and Chainsaw Kitten's "Kick Kid"[12] are heard in the movie only.
Score
The film is scored by Brian Tyler and the musical direction/supervision is by Jay Faires. The score was released as digital download on May 22, 2007.[6]
Soundtrack
The Bug theme is performed by System of a Down lead singer Serj Tankian. The lead track, "Learning to Drive", is performed by Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland.
Additional artists are Sean and Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek), Chainsaw Kittens, The Backsliders, Susan Tedeschi, Jerry Leiber, and The Coasters, Alvin Robinson, Los Tigres del Norte, Leon Russell and Brian Tyler. The soundtrack was released in stores on May 22, 2007.[7]
Marketing
The quote, "One of the most disturbing horror movies imaginable," from Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, was presented on the film's official website, and repeated in the official trailer.
Friedkin has said that Bug would have been flagged, in the '60s or '70s, as a horror film[13], but he insists it is not a horror movie.[14] He told ComingSoon.net that "There were all sorts of people who looked at Bug, (including magazine people like Fangoria,) and they called it a horror film," he said. The horror connection "came from a lot of sources."[15] Friedkin claims that Bug is "in many ways, a black comedy love story.[13] He stated in an interview, that "It's not a genre film, but marketing works in mysterious ways. They have to find a genre for it. "This is a comedy. This is a melodrama. This is a love story. This is a horror film. This is an adventure film." Bug doesn't fit easily into any of those categories."[15]
Awards
See also
References
External links
