Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Gutsycurene
Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.
ActuallyGlimmer
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
BobNoOneHundred
It is much worse when a heart surgeon messes up than when an accountant messes up. If you want to deal with other people's sensitive issues you better be qualified for the task, or you will end up in a really awful mess.Bridgend has beautiful images and sound, good actors that seem to have been directed well. All that does, is polish up something that is fundamentally flawed.Word of advise to writer: The road to hell is paved with good intentions, so 1) get better at understanding other people's experience, or 2) write about something less sensitive or something much closer to your own personal experience*, or 3) let other people do the writing.* Lack of experience with teenage misery, if we consider that mitigating circumstances, actually speaks to your benefit.
natalieannsullivan
Wow this movie sends quite the message if you look for it. What an incredible film. Brought tears to my eyes. Hopefully this movie can open others eyes and hopefully it spreads awareness. One of the best movies I think I've ever seen. Bravo to the filmmaker as well as to the cast and everyone involved with the film.
davidpunter
It's a film about a series of serious events involving young people, and does them no justice. Someone trying to be clever, depicting them as a bunch of mindless yobs shouting at the moon, drinking excessively and trashing property. It lurches along aimlessly and I personally ended up feeling I'd lost an hour or so that I would never get back..
filmbizarro
Between the years of 2007 and 2012, 79 suicides have been reported in Bridgend County Borough in Wales. This horrible real life even is the source for the story of "Bridgend". Media has been part of the blame for many of the suicide, for bringing them to attention in the wrong way. Apparently "Bridgend" has been banned in the county, but I don't know if these are rumors. It's understandable if a lot of people find that a movie like this is distasteful, and perhaps made too soon. I am not here to judge the production of the movie, but I will be giving my two cents about the movie itself below.From what I can gather, the story of "Bridgend" is not too far detached from the reality. It's set in Bridgend County, where many mysterious suicides among young have taken place. We follow a young woman who moves to Bridgend with her father. He's a cop and is quickly getting familiarized with the horrific situation that the town finds itself in. Sara is a shy and quiet girl, but somehow she gets drawn into the gang of youngsters that are directly associated with the kids that have been committing suicides.One thing that is striking about reality and the movie, is that the reasons behind the suicides are unknown. The movie portrays a small town with kids that have nothing to do - so they enjoy themselves with alcohol, vandalism, and hanging out with each other. Now and then, they are one person short as a suicide has taken place. It can be speculated upon that there's a cult mentality behind everything, and that seems to be the most believable reason. The exact why's are not ventured into at depth, but with the style of the movie that makes it all the more powerful.Somewhere between a profound art-house film and a social drama, "Bridgend" can jump from being realistically bleak to visually stunning in just seconds. It's not that the movie is in any way trying to bend reality like, say, Lars von Trier. Rather, it gives us a moment to breathe and let us gather our thoughts. After all, the movie does not romanticize the situation it is based on. It's sad movie about something that is hard to accept, and we feel completely helpless (as we are). I can still understand those that see "Bridgend" as further glamorization of the events, but the heart and soul of the movie seems to be to show us the horrible realities that many of us are unaware of.This is not a movie to watch if you want something light-hearted. There are no moments of relief here. If you expect a movie that will make you dream about the freedoms of teenagers, then you are on the wrong end of the spectrum. The movie takes you on a dark journey into a group of people who seem destined to commit suicide. That's the reality and that's the truth of what this is. The movie leaves you alone with your thoughts. Is it a good movie? Absolutely. I think many of you will understand this movie and will gather from it exactly what the filmmakers hoped for.
