FREAK SHOW
US, 2017, 91 minutes, Colour.
Alex J.Lawther, Ian Nelson, Anna Sophia Robb, Celia Weston, Abigail Breslin, Bette Midler, Larry Pine, John Mc Enroe, Laverne Cox.
Directed by Trudy Styler.
Young Billy Bloom sees himself as something of a freak show. When young, he was loved and promoted by his mother, Bette Midler, but distant from his father, Larry Pine. When his mother disappears (later discovered to be in rehab), he transfers to the South, living in a mansion with his father and going to the local school.
This is a film about gender identity, a boy and his discovering of his female side, that he was gay, his option to be openly gay, a camp manner, flamboyant cross dressing. Initially mocked at school, he asserts himself, makes a number of friends, decides to become a candidate to be Prom Queen.
British actor Alex J Lawther gives a strong and, perhaps, courageous performance as Billy Bloom. (Lawther had a very strong role in the French film, The Translators.).
The film is a blend of comic extravagance along with some emotional sequences, especially as Billy makes friend with one of the local jocks who really wants to be an artist. Then there is the campaign for him to be Prom Queen, extravagant floats, dancing girls, Billy having coaching of how to be Prom Queen, interview with TV, in the form of transgender actress, Laverne Cox. In the meantime, his opponent, Lynette, Abigail Breslin, has her coterie of friends, but is particularly gauche in her interviews, TV performance.
Billy needs the affirmation of his father, is encouraged by the housekeeper at home, a sympathetic Celia Weston, and ultimately is reconciled with his father after being disappointed by his mother.
The film was directed by Trudy Styler who obviously has very strong show business connections by having Bette Midler as the mother, John Mc Enroe as the sports coach, Laverne Cox as the TV interviewer.
The film could be compared with the 2020 French film, Miss, with a central character has ambitions to be Miss France.
1. Title? The tone? The alternate television title, Billy Bloom?
2. An American story? Universal story? Gender identity? Choices?
3. The Connecticut settings, home, school, comfortable life? The transition to the South, the mansion, school, classes, gym?
4. Audience response to the issue of gender identity, in children, comfort in their own bodies, psychological and emotional repercussions? Acceptance by parents? The transition to teenage? Decisions about identity, manifesting identity, transition?
5. The telling of Billy’s story, the past, his relationship with his mother, their devotion to each other, as spoiling him? The absent father and Billy not identifying with him? His mother’s antagonism towards her husband? Her leaving, later discovery of her problems, addictions, rehab? Billy having to go to live with his father, unwilling? Deep down sense of absence of his father?
6. Billy, as a character, his manner, out-there, gay, camp style, expressions, demeanour, manner? Dressing up? The wide range and flamboyance of his costumes? Make up?
7. At home, his father’s presence, absence, puzzle? Florence, devotion to the family, interactions with Billy, helping him, critical, supporting him? The visit of Billy’s mother, the clash with Florence? Barbs? Billy delighted for his mother to visit, her story, his disappointment, the fact that she came to get money from her husband?
8. At school, the reaction to Billy, mockery, touches of bullying? The range of characters at school? Mary Jane and her support, his calling her Blah-Blah?, her conversations, devotion? The contrast with Lynette and her devotees, spurning Billy? In the classroom? With the principal? In the gym, John Mc Enroe is the coach? The climbing exercise, the sexual repercussions, the coach handling the situation?
9. Flip, his befriending Billy, the footballer, the potential jock, the bonding with Billie, the conversations, shared experiences, flip wanting to be an artist, his sketch of Billy? Billy and his carry on, provoking people, flip and his attack on Billy, his being ashamed? Flip injured, not being a sports representative, coming back to Billy, flip sense of freedom, talking with Billy? A future?
10. Billy deciding that he wanted to be prom Queen, the announcement, the flamboyance, the coaching, performance, the elaborate floats and campaign, popular support? The advice to go to the ordinary students, there are identifying with him? Mary Jane and her campaign management?
11. The presentation of candidates, Lynette and her razzmatazz, Billy dressed plainly, speaking plainly, identity? The TV interview and style? Lynette’s poor interview?
12. Sports match, the principal, flip and his injury?
13. The announcing of the vote, Billy and his expectations, the net winning, the repercussions for Billy? Mary Jane, flip?
14. The previous confrontation between Billy and his father, his father reaching out, Florence urging him on, his presence of the vote, reconciled with his son?
15. An offbeat story with a flamboyant style?
