Watch Bad is Bad
- NR
- 2011
- 1 hr 36 min
-
5.8 (431)
Bad is Bad is a 2011 independent comedy film written, directed, and produced by Jonathan Wright. The film follows the misguided actions of a man named John, played by Chris Fornataro, as he rises through the ranks of a small town criminal underworld by committing heinous acts of violence, only to ultimately realize the error of his ways.
At the beginning of the film, John is a low-level clerk who works for a court in a small town in Georgia. He is obsessed with the idea of becoming a judge, but he is too lazy and too self-absorbed to study for the bar exam. One day, he is fired from his job, and he decides to take matters into his own hands. He begins to commit a series of petty crimes, such as stealing from a convenience store and vandalizing a car, in order to attract the attention of the local criminal element.
John's plan pays off, and he soon finds himself in the good graces of a group of criminals who are led by a man named Frank, played by Bill Brock. Frank takes John under his wing and begins to show him the ropes of the criminal underworld. John is thrilled to be a part of Frank's crew, and he quickly rises through the ranks, becoming more and more involved in the group's illegal activities.
As the film progresses, John becomes increasingly violent and unhinged, and he begins to alienate his friends and family. He sees Frank's girlfriend, Mia, played by Mary Wehmer, as his own, and her sexual advances and allure become an addiction for John. He also becomes bolder in his actions, committing more and more dangerous crimes with Frank and the rest of the crew.
Despite the fact that John is always on the verge of getting caught by the police, he refuses to stop his criminal behavior. It isn't until he accidentally shoots and kills a man during a robbery that he begins to sober up to the reality of his actions. He starts to see the error of his ways and comes to understand the importance of consequences.
The film takes a surprise turn in its final act when John decides to turn his back on his criminal past and embrace the legal world once again. He enrolls in law school and begins to work tirelessly to become a judge, finally realizing his dream. He also takes steps to atone for the wrongs he has committed in the past by turning himself in to the police and accepting the consequences of his actions.
Overall, Bad is Bad is a darkly humorous film that explores the corrupting influence of power and the dangers of giving in to our deepest desires. The film is driven by strong performances from its cast, particularly Fornataro in the lead role, who manages to make John both sympathetic and terrifying at the same time. The film's mix of comedy and drama keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout, and its surprising final act is both satisfying and thought-provoking. A well-made film with a poignant message, Bad is Bad is a must-see for fans of the crime genre.
Bad is Bad is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.