SOME FREAKS (2016)

Written & Directed By: Ian MacAllister McDonald 
Cinematography By: Joseph Zizzo 
Editor: Jonathan Melin & Joel Plotch 


Cast: Thomas Mann, Marin Ireland, Elise Hudson, Lachlan Buchanan, Ely Henry, Lily Mae Harrington 

A charming romance develops between a boy with one eye and an overweight girl, though when she loses her weight after going to college, their relationship is tested in devastating ways they never dreamed would happen.


Sometimes a movie can feel too real. Which can work for or against. Depending on why you came to the film and what you expect.

This film presents characters making a bond finding each other. They both are considered outcasts as they both have conditions which normally would have them picked upon and it would be a story of overcoming adversity and odds while finding one another. As they meet due to a third party who is close to both of them. Which seems to take up the first half of the film. The second half is the aftermath.

Though here the film shows them develop and then Showcase their own fears and weaknesses. So that by the end most of the characters are fairly unlikebale. as the film seeks to show the characters and their situations on a gritty realism that exposes everything in a matter of fact way, including sex. It also allows us to see the characters usually at their worst and a few times at their best.

These are not characters seeking to be shining examples or even special because of whatever ailments they might have. They are just people trying to survive in never the best of situations.

Most of the characters who could be easily written off or shown in one dimension are given more of a showcase to show different sides of their personalities. 

The film has a closeted character looking for love or even just companionship. Looking for love though usually when close to actually maybe making a connection he sabotages it. Then suddenly downplays his sexuality.

A jock who wants to be attracted to a plus sized girl. And wants to be thought of more than just a jock and popular. He wants to live a life not necessarily expected of him. 

An overweight girl confident in her body. Which chooses to lose weight to be lean and healthy, but might be part of self destruction and self hate. Though we never are quite sure.

A character with one eye who feels unconfident not only with his condition. But also his girlfriend who loses weight. Then freaks out believing that now that she is seen more as acceptable to others she will find someone better and more acceptable.

The film doesn't offer any answers, but serves up plenty of unresolved situations. As it is drenched in self doubt that by the end toy wife beer what the films is all about. As every scene of success turns sour. Quickly just out of cruelty.

It seems like a movie made to turn all the usual conventions of this kind of story on it's ear and offer a more harsh realistic point of view. That kills any hope that shows up for no real reason. That might leave the audience feeling the same way. Where Don't expect anything because it most likely isn't coming. So that it ends up being depressing yet gripping.

The film achieves a hard dose of realism but the film doesn't lend itself as strongly as the performances and script as the direction seems more conventional. Though also written by the director.

If looking for a coming of age anti-romance story. This is the film for you. As the stars are attractive but their characters, so unconventional and unorthodox. That it shows itself as something different.

You can tell the tone of the film. When the film begins by having the main characters eye patch is stolen and held hostage by his classmates. For him to show them his eye socket. And then is tainted on his way home by his best friend. We see how a romance between friends can freeze out others close to them leaving them feeling lonely and put out.

The film shows each of it's characters at their best bit mostly at their worst. As they all seem to be their own worst enemies and either cheer each other on for good and bad ways and reasons.

Thomas Mann has shown himself and proved to be good in other roles. Here he is better than the material in many ways. 

Marin Ireland in the lead role is a revelation. Here she is funny, charming, sexy and dramatic. Not To mention the weight she actually loses throughout, but still feels and is made to feel the same as she was overweight.

The film is haunting in it's own way. It's also disappointing for how unconventional it can be sticks to some convention or doesn't go places, it seems to hint at.

It seems anytime time passes it involves the number 6 in months, weeks, days, hours,

There is a good film in here and I really wanted to love the film but I feel like this is a film you could appreciate In the right mood or certain moments of the day.

GRADE: C+