Review of Sticks & Stones

This movie focuses on a hugely important and relevant subject - bullying. It will leave you feeling angry, at least it affected me that way. The only problem with this movie is that it is very heavy handed in its approach. There is little subtlety or nuance here and I think the message is less powerful because of that. The message of this movie doesn't sneak up on you and impact you. Instead it goes for the jugular right from the beginning. The three protagonists, young teen boys, have bullies all around them. They're everywhere - parents, siblings, other adults and in their peer group. I guess that does make an important point - anyone can be a bully. The thing that is most angering about this movie though are the adults: ineffective parents, teachers and sport coaches who tell the kids just to get over it, take it in their stride or toughen up. In some way they're the real villains in this movie and should be salutary object lesson for all of us.

This movie is definitely worth a watch and, if you watch it with your kids - not the real littlies though - it will provide some good food for discussion.