Álex de la Iglesia's THE LAST CIRCUS
A movie review by Dennis D. McDonald
Some of the words came to my mind while watching this film include:
- Grotesque
- Weird
- Gorgeous
- Imaginative
- Funny
- Twisted
- Hallucinatory
The story: a small shabby Spanish touring circus is led by a wife-beating, cruel Funny Clown. An awkward young man with an ample backstory dating back to the cruelties of the Spanish Civil War is hired as the Sad Clown. Acting as a foil for the Happy Clown’s onstage jokes, the Sad Clown falls in love with the Happy Clown’s mistreated wife.
The easy next sentence would logically be, “Jealousy and violence follow.” For this movie this would be a WILD understatement. The story and its characters take some of the most bizarre twists and turns you can imagine, some of which require a strong stomach to watch.
This film is not for everybody. But if you like the out of the ordinary, can tolerate outrageousness, and have a respect for a beautiful and clever production, check this one out.
You’ve been warned!
Review copyright (c) 2012 by Dennis D. McDonald
Addendum: I watched this via streaming Netflix. As far as I am concerned, the value to me of access to foreign and unusual films like this on Netflix far far outweighs the lack of the latest Hollywood blockbusters.
