We have all been schoolchildren, so this harrowing story of school bullying tugs at the memories and almost forgotten emotions that we have all experienced. Sympathising with the fatherless bullied child we re-live the experiences we have all to a certain extent felt on the receiving end of taunts, jibes and malicious comments.
Simultaneously we also re-live the harsh remarks we have made to others-- and I personally felt deep guilt about the way in which I treated some of my peers at school. The powerful and malicious mob of half a dozen hardcore bullies is reminiscent of the 'Lord of the Flies' while the ring leader (who is also fatherless) is chilling in his lack of conscience and superb abilities of emotional manipulation.
Much of the film is seen through the lens of a video camera the bullied boy brings to school to-- alas ostentatiously-- record his tormentors. His grim chronicle is thus frighteningly realistic.
Social, emotional and class issues are all alluded to, and we begin to ponder questions such as 'is there a victim mentality?', and 'what makes a bully?'.
But perhaps the most extreme effect of the film is to make us re-examine our prejudices towards the horrific finale to which the film must inevitably lead.
There are few special effects and none of the other pap that clutters most of today's films: this is pure emotion, characterisation and realism, and is absolutely brilliant. I believe it should be shown to every schoolchild in the country.