ORLANDO, Fla. – The movie "Bully" opens in Central Florida on Friday, but it's been described as heartbreaking, infuriating, disturbing and difficult to watch.
Those descriptions would leave many parents asking, "Is this right for my child?"
The movie opened in select AMC theaters last week without a rating after the Motion Picture Association of America initially gave it an "R" rating for its language and violence.
The Weinstein Company, producers of the film, argued the rating would keep out the very audience for which it was intended. Now, after editing out some of the profanity, it will be shown nationwide with a PG-13 rating.
Jim West, of Total Life Counseling, has seen many bullying victims, just like those portrayed in the movie. Although he hasn't seen the movie yet, he says it sounds like it's an accurate portrait of what most kids hear and see in school every day.
"Thirteen-year-olds, I think, are mature enough to see this. They're seeing the same stuff everyday in their school," he said.
West spent the day Wednesday talking to students at Colonial High School. Many of the kids attending his presentation echoed his thoughts.
Eleventh-grader Raina Enrique attended the assembly. She said bullying is a trend that's getting worse.
"I just think it's something all teenagers see," Raina said. "It doesn't matter whether you're home-schooled, public school, whatever. Everyone sees it and is exposed to it, so it needs to be addressed."
West sees the film as a potential springboard to initiate conversation between parents and teens about bullying .
"They need to ask questions. Kids are waiting for them to ask, but they need to say they are not going to the school unless someone is threatening your life," West said.
He said any attention the movie generates is a step in the right direction.
"I do think the movie will make a difference. I think it's going to help schools to do more about bullying," he said.
West says when schools install a bullying program, incidents are reduced by 50 percent.