Freak Show

Author(s): Tony
Location: Pittsburgh

"Freak Show"

Directed by Christopher Guest
Written by Michael Arndt and Christopher Guest
Produced by Michael Hertzberg
Music by Ray Cooper

Principal Cast:

Colin Firth as Biff Baroni
Gregg Henry as "Priceless" Pat Corso
Robin Tunney as Penny Corso
AnnaSophia Robb as Gabriella Corso
Scott Wilson as Stan Gordon
Johnny Messner as Rat Murphy
Hugh Laurie as Thad Kent
Jean Reno as Bertrand Newbury
Wayne Brady as J-Qwik
Kal Penn as Kailish Lahari

Tagline: "Reality TV has met its match, and it comes in 8 different sizes"

Synopsis: The family is the Corso's. Husband (and business man) Pat Corso, wife Penny Corso, and daughter Gabriella. Little Gabriella turns 12 on November 31st, and what she wants more than anything else is a clown for her birthday party, but not just any clown, the PERFECT clown. "Priceless" Pat works his magic to assemble a contest to find the perfect performer in big red shoes. The television media is fascinated by the subject and decides to make a documentary of it. They assign Biff Baroni, a small time game show host, to host this national event. The performers will go through a certain amount of tests to see who is more qualified to be the star of little Gabriellas party, and be the winner of the grand prize, $500,000. An open invitation is made and people from all over the country have tried out, and have been narrowed down to 6 completely random people, which is where our documentary starts. The remaining 6 will be put through aseries of tests and will perform in front of a live audience and random children from the city to determine the winner. The contestants will be frequently interviewed and have a camera follow them 24/7 until the contest is complete. They will also be ordered to wear their outfit and make-up at all time during the contest. Six contestants, and he who laughs last...well, laughs.

Stan Gordon, Trademark: Motivational Speaker. Stan is an old time vet at the clown business who's been retired for several years now. He was always known for giving the kids high spirits and teaching them moral values. Now at age 64, Stan is staring down the road to the mid-life crisis and wants to entertain again.

Rat Murphy, Trademark: Story Telling. Rat is an ex-con that's been in the joint for grand theft auto, arson, a trunk full of DUIs, and several other crimes. He's a lost soul that needs direction in his life, and during time in prison he read many children's books to brighten his attitude towards life, but with a name like Rat, is it possible? Pat and Penny are forgiving people, and obviously saw something in Rat to keep him in the contest. He likes walks, the rain, sand, and hates perverts.

Thad Kent, Trademark: Magic Show. Thad is a former magician that jumped on this scene quickly. He has great personality and attitude. But what the viewers at home or everyone involved with the competition don't know is Thad has a "special liking" for children, a dark secret of his. Many times during the contest Rat suspects Thad of looking at kids the wrong way, and the two have heated confrontations.

Bertrand Newbury, Trademark: Animal Balloons. Bertrand has traveled from country to country searching for a place to call home, and he's finally found it, the Freak Show! Bertrand needs money badly and uses his special balloon tricks to win over the audience. His trademark animal balloon is the blue nose dolphin.

J-Qwik, Trademark: Singing. Straight from the Bronx comes J-Qwik, the whitest black man to date. J-Qwik was the name given to him by his hoodlum family, when he's with them and his friends he acts completely street, but it's not the real him. Although his singing and ebonic-free attitude is truly remarkable, he feels he lets his family down, and believes the white paint on his face is a symbol for what he hides, his true race and identity.

Kailish Lahari, Trademark: Impressions. Kailish is the youngest of the competitors, and is also Indian, which many don't know. Post 9-11 Kailish has been looked down on by all, people giving him funny looks, odd gestures, even if he's not Arabian. Kailish has the habit of breaking down during the contest from the children keeping their distance from him. Like the kids say "Daddy doesnt want me talking to Arabs". Aside from his color conflict, he makes them laugh from his dead on impressions, his most famous being the 28th president of the United States, Warren Harding.

Rated R for offensive language and thematic elements
Runtime: 1 hour and 50 minutes (Comedy)

What the press would say:

Hold your applause and drop your drawers, the "Freak Show" is in town. "Freak Show" delivers a riotous style of humor from legendary mockumentary director/writer Christopher Guest. To add on to the brilliancy of the film is new up and coming writer of "Little Miss Sunshine" Michael Arndt. This is by far Guest's most raunchiest film to date, excelling limits sufficiently. Once again, with the help of Arndt, Guest serves up a dish of fresh, corky characters. Each one of them having a certain significance. Although each actor brings it all to the table there are certain actors to take note of, Colin Firth being one. He brings the rickety attitude that comes with the territory of being a television host. Another would be Johnny Messner, who in my opinion out of all the contestants was the most lively and gut busting. Next after him is Hugh Laurie and together these two put on a clinic on what comedy should be these days. They take the dialogue with a mockumentary style to the max and provide some of the best laughs in the film. Wayne Brady puts on a performance no one has seen before, exclude Whose Line is it Anyway, this is a more fierce Wayne Brady than we've seen, and perhaps the most complexed character, although it's all intended to make us laugh, Brady shows emotion in his role. It'll be hard to welcome him back on the Whose Line cast. A hint to the viewers before watching this film, if you find yourself offended at any time during the feature, you've already missed the entire purpose of the film, so don't be sour and spoil the party. This is a film you and your buddies go to see and laugh until you fall out of your chair. I left the theater after watching this one, and I felt better about myself, you should too.

Possible Nominations:

Best Picture - Michael Hertzberg, Michael Arndt, and Christopher Guest
Best Director - Christopher Guest
Best Actor in Leading Role - Colin Firth
Best Actor in Supporting Role - Johnny Messner
Best Actor in Supporting Role - Hugh Laurie
Best Actor in Supporting Role - Wayne Brady
Best Original Screenplay - Michael Arndt and Christopher Guest
Best Original Score - Ray Cooper
Best Film Editing
Best Cinematography