Rent Freak Show (2017)
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Billy Bloom (Alex Lawther) is one-of-a-kind: a fabulous, glitter-bedecked, gender-fluid teenager whose razor-sharp wit is matched only by his outrageous, anything-goes fashion sense. But when he's forced to live with his straight-laced father, Billy finds himself a diva-out-of-water at his new ultra-conservative high school. Undaunted by the bullies who refuse to understand him, the fearless Billy sets out to make a big statement in his own inimitable way: challenging the school's reigning mean girl for the title of homecoming queen!
- Actors:
- Alex Lawther, Ian Nelson, Annasophia Robb, Celia Weston, Walden Hudson, Abigail Breslin, Daniel Bellomy, Bette Midler, Larry Pine, Christopher Dylan White, Willa Fitzgerald, Michael Park, John McEnroe, Mickey Sumner, Wally Dunn, Marceline Hugot, Charlotte Ubben, Olli Haaskivi, Laverne Cox, Anastasia Garvey
- Directors:
- Trudie Styler
- Producers:
- Jeffrey Coulter, Chris Miller, Bryan Rabin, Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler, Ember Truesdell, Charlotte Ubben
- Writers:
- Patrick J. Clifton, Beth Rigazio, James St. James
- Studio:
- Network
- Genres:
- Comedy, Drama, Lesbian & Gay
- Collections:
- A World of Difference: A History of Gay Cinema, Drama Films & TV
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 25/02/2019
- Run Time:
- 91 minutes
- Languages:
- English Dolby Digital 5.1, English LPCM Stereo
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.40:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- (0) All
- Bonus:
- Filmed in New York on 20 November 2018, Alex Lawther and Trudie Styler talk frankly about their Freak Show experience
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Reviews (4) of Freak Show
Despite Alex Lawther as the lead, this film is mainly boring rubbish - Freak Show review by TB
After his small but stunning performance in The Imitation Game as the young Alan Turing, I had seen this as one of the new Cinema Paradise releases with him starring in it, so thought I'd give it a whirl.
It is certainly a very different and idiosyncratic film, with Lawther as a bitchy spoilt narcissist called Billy who is also extremely effeminate and the target of bullies, who then inspire him to try to become the homecoming queen.
But it didn't really work. Billy as a character was just too grating & difficult to like or root for, irrelevant of the abuse that was directed at him. The story itself also has too many ridiculous scenarios, such as a random guy who doesn't in any way fancy Billy but is happy to be ordered around and almost used like a personal slave. There are some small funny moments and a couple of good jokes, hence the 2 star rating.
But as much as Lawther is a talented actor, this was a rubbish script and overall not worthy of the talents who it stars
Good film - Freak Show review by CP Customer
I really enjoyed this film. I'd half expected it to be a bit "preachy" on the gender fluid issue, but in fact it was really entertaining and showed how to get a point across without beating you over the head with it. Alex Lawther (Billy) is excellent and I loved the dry humour, and his determination not to be a victim, but to be himself and "glitter" - no matter what the consequences. The costumes were great too. Recommended.
Intensions Good Execution Poor - Freak Show review by CP Customer
Good intentions to highlight bigotry but the execution of it left cold, and the performance of the lead began to annoy me as the film progressed!