Freak Show

This film is the rare empowerment tale that doesn't feel condescending or rote. It's lively and witty, largely due to a script (adapted by Patrick J. Clifton and Beth Rigazio from James St. James' bestseller) that's loaded with gems that drip with panache from Lawther's mouth. For example, the transplanted showbiz fan refers to his school's mean girls as "The ladies who lynch." And when they refer to "people like you," he responds, "You mean amazing people?" When a teacher stands by as Billy is attacked by his classmates, Billy asks, "You're just going to stand there like a good German?" Then, after his first day at school is filled with general hatred, he swoops in his front door and fabulously proclaims, "I was a hit!" Lawther has the withering delivery and pain beneath Billy's external glitter down. The cast is strong in general, with Midler perfectly placed as the idolized Muv and veteran character actor Pine turning in a genuine performance as William. Robb is charming as the busy bee with a plan, and Nelson is well-cast as the big man on campus who might be there to help ... or to hurt. There are also well-placed cameos by John McEnroe as a coach/gym teacher and Laverne Cox as a reporter (her delivery of the simple line "I do not" is a scene stealer).

Freak Show marks the feature directorial debut of actress-producer-philanthropist Trudie Styler (wife of Sting), and it's quite self-assured. She's aided by twice Oscar-nominated cinematographer Dante Spinotti (The Last of the Mohicans, The Insider), editor Sarah Flack (Lost in Translation), and costume, hair, and makeup departments (headed by Lisa Harlow-Powell, Jennifer Tremont, and Anouck Sullivan) that must have had a great time with Billy's many outfits and mood changes. Styler's approach is calm and trusting of her actors and material. We get to see people relating to each other; we get to feel the emotional punches land. Part of that trust is shown in Styler's decision to not over-score moments: She switches between Dan Romer's score and well-chosen pop songs. Styler and company effectively deliver the material's message, as spoken by Billy, which is either "You're all freaks, too; isn't that what being a teenager is all about?" or "Without hope, you cannot live, and without glamour, you can't live well."