Troubled alcoholic clown Shakes (a fearless performance by Bobcat Goldthwait, who also directed and wrote the quirky script) has to sober up long enough to clear his name after he gets framed for a murder that he didn't commit.
Goldthwait adroitly crafts a surreal, wacky, and perversely twisted comic tone that precariously blends the grotesque and the hilarious with surprising effectiveness: While the wickedly funny sense of pitch-black humor may not be to everyone's liking, those with a penchant for the weird and warped should find this movie to be a total riot. Moreover, Goldthwait also ably explores the dichotomy of seeming happy on the outside while being completely miserable on the inside.
The uniformly ace acting by the game cast keeps this film humming: Julie Brown radiates a sweet perky charm as Shakes's concerned waitress girlfriend Judy, Tom Kenny portrays evil and ruthless rival clown Binky with lip-smacking venomous aplomb, Adam Sandler lends sturdy support as the mild-mannered Dink, Paul Dooley does his usual fine work as long-suffering agent Owen Cheese, Blake Cark excels as gruff transvestite Stenchy, and Kathy Griffin adds some vinegar as the snarky Lucy. Popping up in memorable cameos are Milton Berle as a surly barfly clown, Robin Williams as an obnoxiously hearty mime instructor, and Florence "Mrs. Brady" Henderson as a one night stand. A real loopy hoot.
Goldthwait adroitly crafts a surreal, wacky, and perversely twisted comic tone that precariously blends the grotesque and the hilarious with surprising effectiveness: While the wickedly funny sense of pitch-black humor may not be to everyone's liking, those with a penchant for the weird and warped should find this movie to be a total riot. Moreover, Goldthwait also ably explores the dichotomy of seeming happy on the outside while being completely miserable on the inside.
The uniformly ace acting by the game cast keeps this film humming: Julie Brown radiates a sweet perky charm as Shakes's concerned waitress girlfriend Judy, Tom Kenny portrays evil and ruthless rival clown Binky with lip-smacking venomous aplomb, Adam Sandler lends sturdy support as the mild-mannered Dink, Paul Dooley does his usual fine work as long-suffering agent Owen Cheese, Blake Cark excels as gruff transvestite Stenchy, and Kathy Griffin adds some vinegar as the snarky Lucy. Popping up in memorable cameos are Milton Berle as a surly barfly clown, Robin Williams as an obnoxiously hearty mime instructor, and Florence "Mrs. Brady" Henderson as a one night stand. A real loopy hoot.