Streep Shocker: Actress Suffered Bullying as a Child

Meryl Streep is arguably the most honored actress of her generation.

But years ago, before the fame and Oscar statuettes, she was just an ordinary girl who suffered … at the hands … of a local bully.

Streep revealed her childhood pain while introducing “Bully,” a new documentary from The Weinstein Company. The film has become a cause celebre due to its R rating. The studio wants the MPAA to reduce the rating so more teens can see this superduperimportant film – even though most teens will flock to “The Hunger Games” rather than sit through a documentary.

A pair of high-powered lawyers is even threatening to sue to have the film’s rating reduced to a more accessible PG-13.

The whole “Bully” campaign just feels … odd. No sane, sensitive soul likes bullying. But will an active bully plunk down $10 to see the film and walk away vowing never to bully another soul again?

If said bully had that capacity for understanding, would he or she be a bully in the first place? How can they look in the eyes of an innocent school mate and pummel them without mercy? Can one movie really touch their cold hearts?

And why should “Bully” be exempt from the laws which govern modern movie ratings? Yes, the ratings system can be maddening and imprecise. I remember watching the great 1979 movie musical “Hair” a few years back and noting how the PG-rated film got away with a shot of an actress’ bare breasts.

The system was imperfect then, and it’s still imperfect now. Is it really appropriate to sic lawyers on the MPAA over one movie? Do the various actors, celebrities and VIPs want to waive the MPAA rules in toto, or is it all about one film which will likely linger for a few weeks in theaters before hitting home video, where everyone who wants to see it can see it?