Freaks

--Reviewed by Lindy Loo

Plotline: A trapeze artist begins to woo an already-hitched dwarf at the circus, not out of love but just because she wants his money. In secret, she makes fun of him and fools around with the strong man. The dwarf's woman (also a dwarf) recognizes that the trapeze artist is no good, as does most of the circus, but he is blinded by love and doesn't realize it until it's already too late.

Scariness factor: This is not a jump-in-your-seat type movie, it's just a mildly unsettling one.

Gross-Out Factor: Not. Unless you're grossed out by real-life freaks.



Complaints: This isn't any sort of typical horror flick. It won't scare you. It doesn't offer up frights. But it is understatedly strange and creepy at times, especially given when it was made.

High Points: It's hard not to be fascinated by the fact that this movie is packed with actual real-life "freaks," from a man with no extremities, to pinheads, to a bearded woman, etc. And the ending will make your hair stand on end, just a little bit. It *was* made in the 1930s though, so it's not gonna offer you any major frights. But given when it was made, it's pretty damn unsettling.



Overall: This is not anything you'll want to rent when you're in a wanting-to-be-too-scared-to-turn-your-lights-out kind of mood. But it's something worth checking out, just for the novelty of it, if nothing else.

Grade: B+