Bug Bites...

I dragged my brother out to the theater to see Bug today, based largely on the fact that I am madly, desperately, truly, deeply, and psychotically in love with Ashley Judd. The movie was... man, I just don't know how to do this. This movie could have been fantastic, but I just don't get it. I UNDERSTAND it, don't get me wrong, but it just... I couldn't get behind it.

Ashley continues to be my Goddess, her performance was good. Even covered in bug bites, blood, sweat, gasoline, leaking snot from her nose and tears from her eyes, she is STILL the hottest thing this side of the sun. (By the way, Lions Gate Films, I greatly appreciate the full nudity. AWESOME.) Her character Agnes transforms from strong, independent yet desperately lonely woman grieving her lost child into a slapping, twitching, wailing mess, and back again (sort of) and I buy it.

Michael Shannon does a fair turn as Peter, the Gulf War vet who brings his knowledge and paranoia into her life, transforming a dingy motel room into a laboratory/saferoom. He is a creepy bastard, and hw sells the quirkiness. He should ace the role, as he perfomred in the play from which it was adapted.

Harry Connick Jr. is a Jerry, Agnes' ex-husband and a pretty sick puppy, and if anything, they didn't use him enough.

What failed me here is I don't know how to absorb what we see. I understand that we're never supposed to be sure if Peter and Agnes are infested. I understand that paranoia is a powerful weapon, and its effects can be devastating. But are they delusions, and if so, how does Agnes see and hear the lights and helicopters? If they aren't paranoid, why doesn't Jerry see them? Who was the doctor? If Peter's story is true, why did he come alone?

The movie had the potential to be great, but I think it missed the mark. Ashley's final breakdown in which she actually seems to embrace her horrific fate, is just a little too bizarre and comical for the tone that the movie seemed to be setting. Once the movie comes to cable, I will give it another watch, just to make sure I didn't miss any nuances that I should have caught.

Now, I know there are people who are going to insist that I just didn't get the movie, and that's why I didn't enjoy it. But believe me, I TRIED to enjoy it, simply because Ashley was in it. I found it impossible. The concept was a solid one, but the execution falls short.

Sorry, Ashley, Goddess of my world, but I just didn't get it.