Customer Reviews

Shakes the Clown

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I really loved this movie, but it appeales to a certain sense of humor. Here's the litmus test: This flick begins with a cameo of Florence Henderson (aka Mrs. Brady) as Shakes the clown's washed out one night stand. If you don't find this the least bit funny then, "move along. nothing to see here." If this visual made you smile then watch Shakes the Clown. Its a rare gem.

I know, I know, this movie is probably last on the list of Oscar-worthy films. It had an absolutely terrible plot, stretched out certain scenes far too long to act as "filler" for gaps... That being said, there were enough scenes which had me rolling with laughter to keep me interested until the movie ended...Robin Williams' cameo as head instructor at The Invisible Rope, were all hilarious. The social bickering between the mimes, party clowns, and rodeo clowns, was actually somewhat clever.

By no means what we would call "quality" cinema, but I've always had a weakness for cheap, mindless humor. It's a nice relief from the usual overdramatic, uptight tearjerkers we're bombarded with every time the Oscars loom over the horizon.

Shakes the Clown is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. My husband and I only saw it once when it came out and we still roar about the social castes in the clown community, with rodeo clowns being the ultimate. I have been hoping against hope that it would come out on DVD. I don't think this is just a man's picture, it is a lowish brow picture for anyone who likes to laugh...or make fun of mimes.

This is one of the greatest movies of all time. About 98% of the population seems to disagree with me, though. They must all be insane.

Shakes the Clown. A dark film that never delivers the true anger that it honestly wants to. Scripted, starring, and directed by Bobcat, the film climbs desperately towards a higher ground, where fierce anger towards addiction meets an outlet never before used in film. I love the film for that in itself, but the movie never manages to get above poorly timed slapstick, and dies agonizingly on the blade of a pure tripe happy-ending. Oddly enough and regardless of the message, the movie is a favorite when I get together with hard drinking friends, as we blow through it toasting the absurdities and drunken actions of Shakes and his supporting cast. The end truly lets everyone down when Bobcat tacks on an After-School Special ending, completely throwing out what could have made this a legitamate "Citizen Kane" of drunken clown movies.

I did and got [pulled] in. I paid 22bucks for this and i can surely say that it's horrid. BOBcat drops the ball totally in the directing department leaving the film flat and deviod of any interest. NO pacing kills the film and the dialogue is absolutely purile. this is just not funny. I can't believe i paid 22dollars for this. damn. avoid like the plague. the simpsons clown episode runs rings around this. and just one more thing- this movie is just not funny. great idea, very poor execution.

I did. I read some of the glowing reviews for this flick and got [pulled] in. If you are looking for something witty and different then this aint it. The only decent part of the entire film is the first 2minutes. I have given this 1star only because i don't know how to give it 0 stars! i paid [price] for this on dvd and it's the worst money i have ever spent.why didn't i like it? 1. it's just not funny. most of the jokes fall flat. 2. it's a movie of the week with clowns. the director seems confused as to the direction of the film. 3. the director seems to have dropped the ball totally with a lack of pace, uncertain direction and a lack of any flare. it's just not tight. 4. you don't care about the characters. there is no reason for us to invest in any of them, especially shakes. 5. the dialogue is horrid and flat. the jokes are just not funny (I wrote that before but it's worth repeating). great idea but no execution. pity. If you are after a clown movie then go for killer clowns from outer space. The simpsons clown episode was far funnier than this weak effort. avoid like plague.

God help me, I love this movie. The premise is great, but that alone wouldn't make Shakes worth viewing. The genius is in the execution. Bobcat makes what could have been a pat parody of clown culture (an easy target) into a brilliantly edgy comedy, frequently blurring the line between comedy and pathos. Shakes the clown is a late stage alcoholic, and in playing him Bobcat captures a creepiness that is both funny and horrifying to behold. An unusual, original film. A little uneven, but overall it works surprisingly well.

This movie is a classic. It is just too funny. Take one drunken clown and place him at a kid's birthday party. The horror... Take several other drunken clowns, put them at the clown bar/hangout, add a few brawls, some obscenities, and a good time can be had by all, or as my friend Dave would say, hilarity ensues. I had no idea Bobcat Goldthwait was this creative.

I loved this movie the first time I saw it several years ago so I bought the VHS copy. I could barely make it through the movie this go around.