BUG / William Friedkin (2007)

June 3rd, 2007 by Scott Marks

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Bug (2006)

Directed by: William Friedkin

Written by: Tracy Letts

Cast: Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, Lynn Collins, Brian F. O’Byrne, Harry Connick Jr.

Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1

Running Time: 102 min.

Genres: Drama, Horror, Thriller

Rating:

Before critics had a chance to squash Bug, Lion’s Gate seemed to make up our minds by refusing to hold a press screening.

Normally this would be an example of a studio, disappointed with its final cut, falling on its sword. No so with Bug. The film had a miniscule promotional budget and was only screened in ten markets.

If anyone needs a comeback it’s director William Friedkin who hasn’t hit artistic or commercial paydirt since the early 70s. Never one to praise The Exorcist’s cheap thrills, Bug is the only sign of intelligent life Friedkin’s shown since picking up his Oscar® for The French Connection.

All Agnes White (professional victim Ashley Judd) has in her life is misery. When not waiting tables, she suffers alone in her shabby Oklahoma motel room living on pot and booze.

Even a routine visit to the grocery store proves traumatic for Agnes. One shot, an empty shopping cart parked next to a gumball machine, and a baby crying on the soundtrack informs us of her loss.

Lately she’s been tormented by an unbroken string of phone hang-ups. Her brutish ex Jerry (Harry Connick, Jr.) is out of jail and eager to resume their cycle of abuse. If ever the time was right for a questionable drifter to appear on Agnes’ doorstep, it’s now.

At first, Peter Evans (Michael Shannon) is very polite; he calls her “ma’am.” He’s so shy, it’s Agnes who first breaks out the blue material. When told what part of Oregon Peter hails from Agnes cracks, “We’re all from Beaver, ain’t we?”

Peter is a top-notch paranoiac living in mortal fear of technology, chemicals and information. The war vet has a bug on his back that he’s certain was planted by military doctors in order to control him. Peter is equally convinced that someone is chasing him.

Needless to say, empty Agnes is quick to buy into Peter’s paranoia. What else does she have going for her? Peter also has an obsession with insects. First aphids, then bedbugs and it isn’t long before Agnes’ room is literally transformed into a roach motel.

Entomophobics take heart. Friedkin wisely refrains from pouring on the vermin; if memory serves, there’s not one menacing shot of a creepy-crawly in the entire piece.

Bug is based on a two-character play and was adapted by its author, Steppenwolf Theater regular Tracy Letts. Not since Roman Polanski’s Death and the Maiden has a one-set affair received such an intelligent cinematic presentation.

Friedkin keeps his camera a safe distance from the characters allowing them plenty of space to mentally disintegrate within. With the exception of one scene involving a self-inflicted tooth extraction, Friedkin opts for psychological horror as opposed to pea soup in your face.

The director is not the only one in dire need of a hit. Ashley (the only talented) Judd made a spectacular debut in Victor Nunez’s Ruby in Paradise and ever since it’s been one “woman in peril” after another. This is her boldest and most demanding role to date.

Too bad Oprah doesn’t have a Film of the Month Club. This should be required viewing for all the complacent hausfraus who hang on Ms. Winfrey’s every word. It’s an extreme cautionary fable warning viewers to break off their abusive relationship tout de suite.