Review of Freaks (1932) by John W — 31 Aug 2009

Todd Browning's masterpiece has been one of my favorite movies since I was fifteen. I remember my mom telling me that she couldn't sleep for a week after seeing this movie. When I first saw it I was mesmerized.

Since I was a kid I have always had a strong attraction to the circus and particularly the sideshow aspect, despite the fact that I've never seen one in real life. Genetic oddities have always fascinated me.

Call me weird (many have), but it's hard not to feel some reverence for these people (with the possible exception of Grady Stiles who was a pretty evil shit). We bitch and bitch about how bad we've got.

You think it's hard for you to get a date? Try going through life with a tumor the size of a softball growing off of your face. These are people who have to suffer the same bullshit we have to with the added bullshit that comes with their particular ailment, but they still live their lives, whereas there are plenty of "normal" people out there who refuse to even attempt to work for what they get.

This may be more of a rant than a review, but this movie has been reviewed to death. This is more a review of my thought process while watching it.