Review of Clown (2014) by Ty D — 30 Mar 2015

If you're scared by clowns then this *may* just be the movie you're looking for. After a birthday clown fails to show up for their child's party, the boy's mother Meg (Laura Allen) explains over the phone to her real estate husband Kent (Andy Powers) about how disappointed he will be. However, as he clears a house he's recently sold, he comes across an old dusty clown outfit so dons the wig, nose and silly costume and arrives much to the kids' delight. Post-party and tired after a day of fun, Kent then falls asleep wearing said costume before waking for another day of work. But there's a problem. A big daft problem. The traditional costume will not come off. Not even with power tools!

He seeks out the previous owner - a suitably strange Peter Stomare - who gives him bad (and frankly ludicrous) news about demonic possession. With that kind of set up, I think you know what kind of a carnival ride you are in for and the film doesn't disappoint in that respect. Equal parts gross out drama combined with dark humour and simply hilarious body modification, the film wastes no time wearing its heart on its frilly coloured sleeve.

More of a big top curiosity than truly scary horror, the film doesn't take itself too seriously at all as drama but the gruesomeness keeps it just out of the parody genre. The film's deadpan humour was genuinely funny with a few laugh out loud moments (a policeman asks, "Do you remember what he was wearing last time you saw him?") but doesn't dip into buffoonery. However, it did lose me when he appears to be ruled by a rumbling belly. Indeed.

With joker-like make-up scarring his body, the film's initial campy comedy moves to a more disturbing tone as his enforced separation from his family brings darker thoughts. As his blood turns into rainbow ink, the contrast between the film's light-heartedness and its serious themes grow wider, creating both comedy and incredible bleakness. In its latter half, throwing the audience from one extreme to the other. One moment we're recoiling from attacks on children but as the jester laments his growing evil we can't help notice the ludicrousness of his multicoloured curly wig.

In summary, from bloody handprints to serious stranger danger if you are after Friday-night foolishness or a silly Saturday night, the antics in this film should keep you entertained for a jolly few hours.

6/10 Midlands Movies Mike.