Some Freaks

Based on his first two films Ian McDonald's a helluva writer. Prior to the superb "Woman Of The Hour" he penned terrific, original 2017 teen drama "Some Freaks". At high-school Thomas Mann & Lily Mae Harrington connect while being outcast by all others (but mutual pal Ely Henry) due to him having lost an eye & her being overweight... things tho get messy when she leaves for college across country. McDonald avoids cliché to tell a rich & authentically ambiguous tale (which'll frustrate some) while btw as director (it's only movie he's directed) he elicits great performances from his cast (also inc Marin Ireland & Lachlan Buchanan). McDonald's def'ly one to watch alright.

The characters were not likable, which is in most cases okay, but it feels this wasn't executed properly because they were also very unbelievable, These are not the kindred and damaged souls you'll connect to, it just a bunch of kids being annoying jerks. Unlikeable characters are fine and can be wonderful when portrayed correctly, but in this case I never felt bad or concerned for either protagonist. Mostly because, one again, the characters weren't buyable. The characters in the film are akin to a general list of high school stereotypes.

That, actually, didn't feel embarrassing - which is no mean feat considering the genre. Films focused around adolescence have a tendency toward awkwardness. They also often have balancing issues; over-focusing one one aspect while missing another - thus failing to hit the relevant sweet spot.

Somehow MacAllister McDonald manages to avoid ALL the potholes set out before him and delivers a delicate and relevant study of the adolescent mindset. Without being pretentious Some Freaks lures in the viewers into the teen spirit and keeps them there until the credits start roll.

Casting and acting are also beneficial to the end result; exploring a rebellious period in a low key fashion. Thanks for that.

I spotted this last night, and, as soon as I saw the synopsis, it immediately caught my attention, so I gave it a try, and wow! It was fantastic!!

I usually hate indie movies or videogames, whether due to the shaky- hand-held camera, or bad lighting/post process, or horrible music, or terrible acting, or poor special effects, they feel "cheap" and I hate that feeling.

This movie, however, felt so professional, so well made, the acting was very solid, the camera was shaky sometimes, but static for the most important scenes; the lighting/places/shooting felt very right to me, and the story was very well written in my honest opinion. The only times when it felt "very indie" to me was when Marin Ireland was on screen, I don't know why, but I didn't like her acting for the most part.

The soundtrack was not bad, but it could have been a lot better.

Perhaps the only thing I didn't like, was the ending, it made me feel like it was rushed, like it didn't have a proper "closure", but perhaps I'm just being biased, it's not bad at all.

Give it a shot if you have the chance, I doubt you will regret it.

Some Freaks is a love story between two people who are essentially outcasts in their environment. You will enjoy it if you are looking for something that is different from most mainstream romantic stories.

Some people argued that being overweight or wearing an eyepatch does not make a person a freak and that the film presented the idea of that in a false way. The two main characters are not freaks because of their physical appearance but probably perceive themselves as ones in my opinion. It is hard to feel normal when your peers push you away and you keep hearing mean comments wherever you turn. The need to change and belong may become a necessity even if that means suppressing your personality and becoming like people you actually do not like. The characters are in that age where they care what other people have to say about them, they might pretend to be strong but everyone at that age cares, those who actually do not are rare and quite blessed.

All of that was portrayed well in my opinion. It is true that there are some clichés present but it does not distort the message of the story which is the most important thing. Hats of to all the actors for doing a wonderful job as well.

Definitely recommended if you are looking for a love story that feels a bit more real that most of them out there.