The Clown (1976) User Reviews

Not a clown movie, but one that comes short in too many areas

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 19 March 2018]

"Ansichten eines Clowns" or "The Clown" is a West German German-language film from 1976, so this one is over 40 years old and it runs for 110 minutes roughly including credits. These were the days when Wenders, Schlöndorff, Herzog and Fassbinder dominated German film and probably hardly anybody today remembers the name Vojtech Jasný, but his effort here was selected to represent Germany at the Oscars where it came short of a nomination though, let alone the win. The main reason why this one was chosen and why it is not forgotten today really is because of the cast that includes names of actors who appeared in many prestigious films, also abroad, and certainly elevated the material at times. With material, I am referring to the plot that focuses on all kinds of subkects like unrequited love and religion as well as relationships between children and parents. It is a bit of everything I'd say, but maybe not enough of anything quality-wise and every time I had hopes that they may come up with a good story line for once I was quickly disappointed. The result is that the film drags on more than one occasion and feels even longer than it is. Visually, in terms of sets and costumes (there are no special effects really), it was a decent watch and looked a lot to me like a Fassbinder film sometimes. I still found it difficult to form any kind of connection with the cast here, to really care what they do and what is done to them and what happens next overall. A bit of a pity. With a better script and story and better focus this film really could have turned into something rock-solid given the cast and crew they had at their disposal. But yes, they did come short in almost every area. Also many references to nazi Germany, despite this being such a thankful subject for filmmakers back then and still today, felt mostly wishy washy and for the sake of it, but not as part as an integral story that really makes an impact on what happened in this country over 3 decades earlier. My recommendation is to skip this one unless you really care about 1970s movies from Germany. Watch something else instead.