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So much average

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As Good As It Gets

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Veteran filmmaker William Friedkin brings some cinematic flair to this film, Tracy Letts' screen adaptation of his own play. Considering that Friedkin had created one of the finest horror films of all time, "The Exorcist", and one of the finest cop vs. crook thrillers ever made, "The French Connection", it's interesting to see him go back to a more intimate sort of filmmaking. This story has a scant few characters, a very limited number of locations, and a hook that shouldn't really be taken at face value.Ashley Judd is luminous in a deglamorized character role as Agnes, a honky-tonk waitress who one day makes the acquaintance of a stranger, Peter (Michael Shannon, who played this part on the stage). Peter starts out as normal but soon reveals some major psychoses, with a particular fixation on the tiny, tiny insects that are supposedly living under his skin, feeding, and breeding. It does not take very long for the vulnerable Agnes to be susceptible to his words and actions.The acting quintet is rounded out by Harry Connick Jr. as Jerry Goss, Agnes' no-good ex- husband, Lynn Collins as the saucy R.C., and Brian F. O'Byrne as a dedicated doctor. They're all good, but "Bug" truly belongs to Judd and Shannon for 102 minutes. They just act their hearts out, and keep you riveted even as things get increasingly strange.The final third is the most stylish and bizarre, with Friedkin and company creating a memorable vision, and feel of madness. While the director and screenwriter don't miss opportunities for humor, they remain true to the overall grim tone of the material.Although not exactly a conventional horror film (that might be suggested by the title), it is creepy in its own way, and is gory and visceral enough to suit certain tastes.Friedkin and Letts reteamed for the equally compelling "Killer Joe" several years later.Eight out of 10.

Dear William Friedkin,I really enjoyed your last two feature films. I am so glad you decided to make movies about rednecks. I am sick of movies about regular people.Bug (which preceded Killer Joe) is another satisfying effort from you based in the redneck milieu. The film did enter the horror movie territory in the second half. And the play like quality sort of ruined the second half. The first half with the whole hard drinking drug abusing redneck life style was thoroughly entertaining.I do not normally enjoy films with play like qualities. But Bug was an interesting chronicle of what happens when two spiritually wounded people get together. I thought you were having a go at religious fanaticism.Ashley Judd was going great guns in the period the film came out. This must be one of her best performances. I am not a big fan of Michael Shannon, but he was terrific in some of the scenes. Harry Connick and Lynn Collins were remarkable in their supporting roles.Best Regards, Pimpin.(6/10)

One of the truly important, significant cinema accomplishments of the year 2006. William Friedkin has brought a masterpiece to the screen and given two fine actors the opportunity to give the performances of a lifetime. The always remarkable Michael Shannon is fantastic in his role as a troubled man who brings the woman he loves to the point of insanity. Ashley Judd is nothing less than stellar as that woman and shows a range of acting skills few can approach. Tracy Letts screenplay is brilliant and affords Friedkin the material through which his gifts as a director can really shine. As the two main characters dance in a follie a deux of extreme madness, it is almost impossible to take one's eyes of the screen. It is an overwhelming cinema experience of the kind which only comes along once in five years. A stunningly powerful film and absolutely unforgettable.

There's not many films out there like Bug. The film, based on Tracy Lett's play, is so unrelenting in its own vision and ideas that it will probably turn most people off because it refuses to pander. This isn't necessarily a good thing for most people; it's hard going, but in the end it's pretty unforgettable whether you liked it or not.The plot is fairly simple: Lonely single woman, Agnes, takes a paranoid young man into her house, and together they both go slightly (completely) nuts. That's a compressed version but it's still a very simple story, the perfect jumping point into the madness that follows. Special mention must go to the performances. Shannon is fantastic as the completely insane Peter, but Judd is pretty much flawless and is a total revelation. Who knew she had it in her to do this kind of work? I certainly didn't. Her performance is terrifying, sad, and enthralling, and that it didn't get more recognition is beyond me.The final third or so of the film follow the characters into total madness, and it's scary, gripping stuff. Very few films commit to what they're doing the way this one does, and even fewer follow the plot to it's inevitable conclusion in such ballsy fashion. It's bound to ruffle a few feathers but in my opinion it's a masterpiece.