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Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn (2019): Cast & Ratings

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn (2019) movie poster

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn is a 2019 documentary directed by Ivy Meeropol, starring John Waters, Nathan Lane and Tony Kushner. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. Critics gave it 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
74%
Echo Score
60
Metascore
65
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Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Ivy Meeropol
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn About?

The premise of Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn without spoilers.

This documentary explores the complex and controversial life of Roy Cohn, a powerful figure in American politics and law. Through archival footage and interviews, filmmaker Ivy Meerapol examines Cohn's career, highlighting his significant influence and the reasons behind his divisive reputation. The film delves into the tumultuous events that shaped his legacy and offers a thought-provoking look at a man who remains a subject of considerable debate.

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • closeted homosexual
  • mccarthyism
  • homosexual
  • closeted gay
  • roy cohn
  • reference to ethel rosenberg
  • bully
  • mob lawyer
  • closeted gay man
  • bigot
  • archive footage
  • reference to joseph mccarthy
+38 more
  • hypocrite
  • dirty tricks
  • reference to the mafia
  • trump tower manhattan new york city
  • jewish lawyer
  • jewish man
  • american jew
  • jewish american
  • reference to studio 54
  • gay man
  • gangster
  • mobster
  • american gangster
  • american mobster
  • mafiosi
  • american mafia
  • cosa nostra
  • new yorker
  • new york city
  • manhattan new york city
  • mafia boss
  • disco age
  • american justice
  • american court
  • u.s. justice
  • u.s. law
  • american politician
  • aids victim
  • reference to aids
  • gay
  • entanglement with organized crime
  • psychopath
  • ruthlessness
  • cold war era
  • reminiscence
  • reference to donald j. trump
  • witch hunter
  • reference to the ethel and julius rosenberg trial
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Cast & crew

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn Cast

John Waters leads the cast, with Nathan Lane and Tony Kushner. Directed by Ivy Meeropol; 6 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn

· 2 more
From the director

More from Ivy Meeropol

More films directed by Ivy Meeropol, best-rated first: Ask E. Jean, Indian Point, After the Bite and Heir To An Execution.

Full filmography
Ratings

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

60 /100

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn Echo Score Breakdown

The documentary presents a compelling personal portrait but is undermined by structural and perspective limitations. Critics consistently note the director’s familial connection lends depth to the exploration of Roy Cohn while praising the film’s incisive commentary. However, many point to a scattered narrative approach and a one-sided viewpoint that may frustrate viewers seeking a balanced chronicle. The film ultimately delivers an insightful yet uneven examination of its subject.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases competent cinematography that effectively underscores key moments, though it rarely ventures into striking visual territory. Production design and editing maintain clarity in presenting archival materials, but the pacing suffers from abrupt transitions. The overall visual composition supports the subject matter without achieving distinctive style.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary delivers a nuanced portrayal of Roy Cohn’s persona, blending critical interviews with personal reflections. The director’s familial connection adds depth, casting Cohn as both formidable and pitiable. Yet the focus on negative testimonies limits emotional balance. Overall, the film provides engaging insight into its central figure’s complexity.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the film offers a thorough overview of Cohn’s career but struggles with coherence. Critics note that rapid shifts between archival footage and interviews create a disjointed rhythm, and some viewers find the narrative lacking in broader context. The result is an informative yet uneven progression that can feel scattered.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to sensory experience, the documentary relies on restrained sound design and a clear visual presentation rather than a distinct auditory or stylistic flair. The score supports the tension without standing out, and editing choices place emphasis on interviews over cinematic embellishments. Ultimately, the sensory elements serve functionally but rarely elevate the material.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch value, the film offers insightful context for those interested in historical narratives, but its uneven structure and singular perspective may limit repeat viewings. While some may revisit to examine archival details or personal anecdotes, the lack of balanced viewpoints and narrative polish reduces its lasting appeal. Overall, replay potential remains moderate.

Videos

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn.

Bully. Coward. Victim: The Story of Roy Cohn | Official Trailer | HBO
Cars

Cars in Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn

6 cars on screen, including the 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis and the 2007 Honda CR-V.

All 6 cars
  • 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis in Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis Important role
  • 2007 Honda CR-V in Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn 2007 Honda CR-V Minor role
  • 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass in Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass Minor role
  • 1997 Ford Club Wagon in Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn 1997 Ford Club Wagon Background role

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FAQ

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn?

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn released?

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn was released on October 5, 2019.

Who directed Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn?

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn was directed by Ivy Meeropol.

More films by Ivy Meeropol

Who is in the cast of Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn?

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn stars John Waters, Nathan Lane and Tony Kushner, among 6 credited actors.

How is Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn rated?

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn have a post-credit scene?

No. Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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