Bang Bang You're Dead

2002's made-for-tv film "Bang Bang You're Dead" tackles the issue of growing up, specifically in high school, as a teenager. Most films entertain. This film educates their audience. It presents social cliques, peer pressure, bullying, and the toll that these harsh realities take on students, in the form of depression, anger and violence.


The film is based on inspiration from the play Bang Bang You're Dead written by William Mastrosimone in 1999. The play was written following the fatal shootings of Kip Kinkel's parents on May 20, 1998 and 27 of his classmates at Thurston High School on May 21, 1998 in Springfield, Oregon. The play was written to raise awareness of school violence in hoping to help people see tragedy before it happens. The plot focuses on the character Josh, a high school student who kills his parents and 5 of his classmates. According to Mastrosimone, "it's a drama performed by kids for kids" in hoping to reach out to the thousands of young audiences who gather to watch.


The film focuses on student Trevor Adams, who attends Rivervale High School. Trevor, accused of making a false bomb threat to the school as a result of constant bullying, is now seen as an outcast who is trying to fit back in. His drama teacher, Val Duncan, sees the play Bang Bang You're Dead online and downloads it, thinking it will be the perfect play to perform for the high school. He also thinks Trevor will be perfect to play the part of the lead role, Josh. When Mr. Duncan casts Trevor as the lead role of the play and prepares for rehearsals, parents and faculty soon start to strongly object to the outrageous title and an "at risk" teenager performing the lead. Figuring that the town doesn't fully understand the script of the play and what point will come from it, Mr. Duncan decides to perform the play anyways and prove that it's in the best interest of the students to view this educating play. He's very confident that once the play is performed, changes will be made in the behavior of the students.


Although he is not the only victim, the film follows Trevor and sees school from his perspective through his video journals. While Trevor videotapes his daily routine, he captures the bullies that push him and other "social outcasts" around. When the school board and police authorities view his video tapes, they discover the emotional chastising and the tragic torment that Trevor has received. They discover the serious and realistic look into the harassment being done within their school hallways. They finally come to understand the terrifying reality of how the victims suffer and are abused by the school bullies. They realize that it's time for a change in preventing bullying and focus more on relating to their students. 


After their recent discovery, the school board decides to let Mr. Duncan and his drama club perform the play. Everyone attended and paid close attention to the words the actors were saying. Trevor was exceptional and was able to speak out and describe his feelings through Josh. It was an emotional and moving piece that opened the audience's eyes in feeling for and understanding the victim who endured the bullying and it's affects that caused him to think violently. 


It is an amazing movie! Bullying and school violence are serious issues. The film emphasizes how harmful constant humiliation can be for students who suffer from it every single day and what happens when someone is pushed over that line and turns to violence for revenge. The film shows the real pain. The pain is so realistic that it allows you, as the audience, to feel what it would actually be like to be in their shoes. 

Lizzy  =)