Review of Being Different (1981) by Jessi T — 21 Mar 2011

A fairly well-organized documentary about "human oddities", those people who are born with extraordinary physical conditions that act as both blessings and curses in their own way. The film begins by surveying some of the inhabitants of Gibsonton, Florida--the carnival capital of the USA--to speak with some of those individuals who choose to exhibit themselves, and continues on to speak with people who prefer to live a life of normality.

I'm always fascinated by this culture of peculiarity and so I am biased in that I was totally engaged throughout. It's difficult not to be, I think, even if one doesn't share my love of sideshow culture and medical maladies past and present.

The interviews are interesting, the people are extraordinary, and as always with these kinds of docs, the conclusion is generally the same--they're as normal and as charming sorts of people as you could imagine.