Bad Boy Bubby cover art

Bad Boy Bubby Details

1994 Certificate 18
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 1137 members

Australian director Rolf de Heer's bizarre parable of innocence and corruption, belief and redemption, paints a decidedly grim picture while allowing hints of optimistic humanism to filter through. Bubby (Nicholas Hope) is a 35-year-old manchild, confined his whole life by his domineering mother--who uses him for sex--to a two-.. Read more

Starring Nicholas Hope, Ralph Cotterill, Claire Benito, Carmel Johnson
Director Rolf De Heer, Rolf de Heer
Genres Drama

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Bad Boy Bubby

Australian director Rolf de Heer's bizarre parable of innocence and corruption, belief and redemption, paints a decidedly grim picture while allowing hints of optimistic humanism to filter through. Bubby (Nicholas Hope) is a 35-year-old manchild, confined his whole life by his domineering mother--who uses him for sex--to a two-room tenement apartment. She has convinced Bubby that the air outside is poisonous, donning a gas mask every time she leaves; all this changes when Bubby's father, a priest who has lost his religion, shows up. His presence both demonstrates the possibility of breathing the air outside, and inspires Bubby to an act of violence that upsets his enclosed world. Finding himself out on the street, the antisocial, nearly mute Bubby must now encounter society, and his adventures run the gamut from poignant and funny to grim and brutal. He is seduced by a Salvation Army worker, adopted by a rock band with whom he performs, imprisoned, raped, and saved again.

An incredibly unique and eccentric film, BAD BOY BUBBY inspired some controversy upon its release, with some judging its themes so dark as to be unethical. But this verdict belies the compassion and empathy latent in the treatment, which expands the piece to encompass both disillusionment with society, as well as hope for humanity. The film noir style presents a gritty, raw view of a corrupt world, presented through honest, innocent eyes.

Starring Nicholas Hope, Ralph Cotterill, Claire Benito, Carmel Johnson
Director Rolf De Heer, Rolf de Heer
Run time DVD: 1 hr 52 mins
Blu-ray: 1 hr 54 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 23 Apr 2007
Blu-ray: 03 Aug 2009
Production year: 1994
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews of Bad Boy Bubby

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  • Rolf de Heer's film is pretty much a weirdo. It begins in the sordid flat which 35-year-old Bubby (Hope) shares with... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • Most helpful member's review of Bad Boy Bubby

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  • 16 out of 16 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    One for the collection

    This is a great film and like the other reviewers say, get past the first ten minutes (which are quite disturbing but necessary to understand the rest of the film) and you will enjoy a range of emotions.

    Basically this film is about a 30+ year old man who has never been outside of his 'family' home and only knows what his depraved 'parents' have told him about Life and the World outside. He breaks free and expieriences the things that have been kept from him (basically everthing) for the first time with an understandably warped perspective.

    Made and set in Australia, so no over the top Hollywood glitz or glamour in this film. (definite plus as far as I,m concerned).

    If you love quirky offbeat films, then watch this!

    Score out of five ?..............

    SIX for being different, on top of being a great film!

      • Craig from Buntingford,England
  • Most recent members' review of Bad Boy Bubby

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  • 7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 0 stars

    Toothache is better

    This has to be the most tragic waste of time. It lacks in so many areas I wouldn't even know where to start. As for the reviewer who gave it 5 stars and said once you get past the first 10 surreal minutes, what can I say? I watched the whole film & this isn't surreal, it's an arty farty movie that would love to enjoy cult status but never will apart from the select few that actually try to convince us (and themselves) that they can see something in it the rest of us lesser mortals can't! I would love to put a spoiler in this review but the movie does that all by itself.

      • A customer from Glasgow/Sydney
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Rating breakdown

1,137 Member ratings
  • 100
162
  • 90
99
  • 80
255
  • 70
177
  • 60
165
  • 50
100
  • 40
71
  • 30
22
  • 20
53
  • 10
33

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