Bad Boy Bubby (2005)

Bubby (Nicholas Hope, in a daring performance) has been locked up by his mother in a decrepit room for 35 years. When he eventually escapes to the world outside in Bad Boy Bubby, the man-child embarks on a fantastical journey toward healing and, oddly enough, pub-rock stardom. His only means of verbal communication: parroting what other people utter (usually profanities). Owing to contractual disputes, this surreal Australian drama — winner of a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival — has been seen in the U.S. almost exclusively on bootleg tapes. It demands that viewers endure excruciating horror from the protagonist's point of view — cockroaches, incontinence, murder by cling-wrap — so making it past the grueling first half hour can be a challenge. But the reward is a cynically funny, righteously blasphemous, surprisingly tender experience. EXTRAS In illuminating, too-brief interviews, writer-director Rolf De Heer explains why he decided to use 32 (!) cinematographers, while Hope reveals that before the shoot, the filmmaker curiously asked if he was circumcised.

You Might Also Like

• Movie Review How About You (Nov 14, 2008) | Lisa Schwarzbaum
• Movie Review Slumdog Millionaire (Nov 07, 2008) | Owen Gleiberman
• DVD Review The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Nov 18, 2008) | Lindsay Soll
• DVD Review Chungking Express: Criterion Collection (Nov 25, 2008) | Aubry D'Arminio