Freaks

Yes the basic plot isn't particularly original, but it the way in which the story is told that has this movie stands out. Movies don't necessarily have to have original plots to be good, they just have to have something about them that is original or intriguing. This movie succeeds with its point of view and tone. It's also unusual to have young children under 10 as the stars in such films and boy does this little star nail her performance. We'll be seeing more of her as she ages I imagine. Worth watching just for her performance alone.

Being different can be tough. Especially at a certain age. But who really is different and how different? And why would your own father ... well the story is quite complex, especially if you haven't read anything about it before you watch the movie.

Which is a nice way to enjoy it, since this has a few surprises ahead. For a low budget movie, the effects are quite nice. And the story is more than interesting and holds the tension throughout. Some things may be easy to spot and predict, but it's still quite original and very entertaining.

Freaks starts out (or so you think) as a film which promises to deliver some uncomfortable moments between an overprotective dad who may or may not be outright crazy as well as possibly dangerous, and his cute, socially-inexperienced, defenseless and mostly awkward little girl. If you know nothing about the film going in, like we did not, upon viewing the first few scenes, naturally, your mind can't help but run to all kinds of dark places, wondering where the filmmaker is going to take us.

Well, where it goes, although the ride hits a couple of small bumps, are dark and eerie places touching on the horror genre, and then surprisingly, it pulls back and takes an unexpected left turn into something completely different.

Much of the supporting cast is okay, but the real revelation is the outstanding performance by Lexy Kolker as the little girl, and just slightly less-so, although still great, her dad, played by Emile Hirsch. They pretty much carry the film. Bruce Dern also delivers, if not a riveting performance, at least a mentionable and memorable one. His role in their lives unravels slowly and is not completely understood until somewhere in the middle of the film. It takes a while to discern what his purpose truly is and for the viewer to see the entire picture. I enjoyed that.

I also liked that the film lets the viewer decide for themselves if what they've witnessed is abuse, trauma, or something else entirely. I also like that while I believe the characters are used as a stand-in or metaphor for discrimination, it isn't anything that is heavy-handed or overtly pushed.

All in all, I found Freaks to be entertaining, and that its concept had been well-executed and delivered. The journey, despite the twists and turns, was captivating, and the destination was 99% equally pleasing and enjoyable, if not 100% where I had expected to go.

I hadn't really heard much about this movie for some reason which is strange considering it came out last year. I'm also shocked that it didn't have any buzz because it is really great.

It is slow at the start and kinda confusing but just enough so that you are not annoyed by it and want to find out more about what is going on.

It is an interesting premise and after watching it i think this would have also made a great tv show as i feel like i want to know this world and explore what else is going on it in.

It looks great too and the effects look pretty clean. It also makes such good use of the sets in a cleaver way. The majority of the move takes place on one set and i think they found a great way around spending lots of money and it is really effective.

I think this film should have got more notoriety than it did and i think people should watch it. Keep in mind that the first 10 to 20 are a little slow and maybe put you off but work through them and I'm sure you will enjoy this movie.

My title pretty much says it all. For those of you who grew up reading 'serious' Science Fiction, you will appreciate this movie. It is very rare to find a Sci Fi film that would be what I would personally call 'serious', but this is it. Not exactly 'Hard' Science Fiction in the sense of it being real technical, but serious in the sense of it being in my lowly and wretched opinion, a DAMN good story!

I have no bloody idea who this little actress is, but if hopefully she can survive the dangerous rigors of Hollywood, she is going to be a PHENOMENAL actor... IS a phenomenal actor. Quite impressive. Most child actors usually I feel come across as either somewhat artificial or overdone, but definitely not this little lady. Restrained, controlled, and VERY believable.

Also, I got to hand it to ol' Bruce Dern... The dude was frigg'n MADE for this part. There were some very nice, but subtle touches of dry humour in just a few well placed areas too that gave the film a nice rounded emotional anchor. And, I loved the way the writers / director really did an excellent job keeping the audience truly guessing about what the HELL is going on, playing out the story and clues at just the right pace that I personally found quite riveting.

If you do enjoy serious Science Fiction and don't mind forgoing the big technological effects of your usual blockbuster Marvel film (not that there's anything wrong with that either : ) and you appreciate just a really well done story and a pretty darn good mystery if you go in cold, not knowing anything about it beforehand, then I think you will really find this movie not only very entertaining and involving, but also rather powerfully moving as well.

A nice find...