Review by John Delia
A coming of age story Bull tells a heartbreaking film that moves along at a fast pace and never lets up including the unexpected finale. You may have seen several films with this slice of life theme, but this one is really worth watching. The acting is terrific and the direction by Annie Silverstein is excellent making all the elements work without a hitch. Check it out on VOD and Digital.
14-year-old Kris (Amber Havard) has been discovering that life is not a bouquet of roses, especially since her mother is behind bars. Living with her grandmother and her 8-year-old sister Chance (Keira Bennett), Kris has little time for school because of chores or even a desire to be there. Not the best of situations, she makes good of what she has, except that includes getting into trouble with the wrong crowd.
At a swimming hole in a creek nearby schoolmates have gathered to raise a little hell. Daryl (Reece McClure) a rebel rouser of sorts among kids his age, reaches out for someone to have a party that night. After being rejected by the group, Kris finds her neighbor Abe (Rob Morgan), an ex-rodeo bull rider, is out of town and she breaks into his house. She offers it to Daryl for the party so she can become accepted by the group. The next morning after the party goers have trashed the place, Abe arrives home that’s torn up and finds Kris running from the house.
It’s the beginning of an odd relationship that will take Kris into a challenging life that will lift her up and then crash her back down. Writer and director Annie Silverstein takes her audience on a coming of age roller coaster ride that has several downers during the unforgettable twists. She then teases viewers with a chance that Kris may have discovered a new life.
In her first role as an actor Amber Havard does what a few greats have accomplished, make a believable character that carries the show. Here Havard turns the downhearted girl into a woman that forges her way into Abe’s life so save her own future. It’s a big start for the young novice, but hopefully she will succeed like Anna Paquin made it big with her first film The Piano.
Bull has not been rated by the MPAA, but has a lot of adult only signals. The film has a lot of rude language, drinking, drug use and smoking all involving teens. There is also a scene of adult sex and nudity. The film is available on VOD and Digital so seek it out on your cable or other TV outlet.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An excellent heartfelt story with the acting and direction to back it up. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Â Rob Morgan, Yolonda Ross, Amber Havard
Directed and written by: Annie Silverstein
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, language, teen drinking, drug use and smoking all involving teens, adult sex/nudity
Running Time: 1 hr. 46 min.
Opening Date: May 1, 2020
Distributed by: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Released in: VOD, Digital