Bounce: Behind the Velvet Rope

“You gotta do what you gotta do.” Those words are a mantra for the pumped-up bouncers at the heart of Steven Cantor's documentary Bounce, which focuses on a dozen bruisers who live in a world of steroids, booze, casual unprotected sex, and sudden, brutal violence, and who are--without exception--brazen and proud. Cantor has a hyperactive touch with the soundtrack and sometimes seems too intimidated by his subjects to ask difficult questions about their lifestyles, but he's chosen a fantastic assortment of interviewees: the twin bouncers Mike and Frank DeMaio--with their dual obsessions with tanning and Sylvester Stallone--are hilarious, but the best is Lenny McLean, the veteran British enforcer known casually as “The Guv'nor” (spouting Cockney argot with an unrefined brilliance, McLean could be a star in a Guy Ritchie movie). Still, make no mistake, the glint in several of the bouncers' eyes approaches out and out bloodlust, and if these men were presented as role models--with their abuse, homophobia, and excesses condoned--this would be an uncomfortable viewing experience. But Cantor passes no judgment, making this a solid, thought-provoking character study. DVD extras include a commentary track by the director. Recommended. Aud: P. (D. Fienberg)