Themes: Love Triangles, Circuses & Carnivals, Runaways
Main Cast: Gary Busey, Jodie Foster, Robbie Robertson, Elisha Cook, Jr., Meg Foster
Release Year: 1980
Country: US
Run Time: 102 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
In Robert Kaylor's Carny, the world of the carnival is an illusion manipulated by the carnies to fleece the suckers. The marks generally deserve what they get, because of their greed, corruption, or just plain stupidity. It's share and share alike for Frankie (Gary Busey) and Patch (Robbie Robertson), partners in a dunk-the-bozo act in a carnival travelling through the American South. At one of the small-town stops, Donna (Jodie Foster), an alienated teenager, dumps her obnoxious boyfriend and, with Frankie's encouragement, joins up and moves into their trailer (and Frankie's bed). Feeling displaced, Patch schemes to get Donna out of the carnival. However, the carnival's owner needs Donna to foil a loathsome pair of local officials who demand payoffs. She plays her part perfectly and is accepted by all, although she moves into another trailer. ~ Steve Press, All Movie Guide
Review
This uneven but frequently compelling film failed to draw a big audience during its original release but has become a cult favorite over time thanks to its unique subject matter and an array of fine performances. Thomas Baum's script effectively captures the atmosphere of the carnival setting down to the last gritty detail while also managing to find the carefully hidden humanity in the carnival denizens. Unfortunately, it gets a bit one-sided when dealing with non-carnival characters, who are all portrayed as rubes or vicious criminals. Director Robert Kaylor wisely avoids stylizing or sentimentalizing the story, instead allowing the setting and characters to carry the film on their own. Carny also benefits from a gifted cast that fleshes out its characters in a believable fashion. Gary Busey gives one of his most memorable performances as Frankie, a man caught between his love of carny life and his feelings of isolation from the "normal" world: The scene where he suicidally taunts a group of rowdy patrons after having his heart broken is scary and moving all at once. Jodie Foster left her child-star image behind with her sexy, assured portrayal of Donna, a frustrated small town girl who finds herself seduced by the con-artist aspect of carnival life. Robbie Robertson, who makes his acting debut here as Patch, isn't as magnetic as the other leads but displays a cool charisma all his own. In the end, Carny may turn off some viewers due to its gritty subject matter, but brave viewers will find it a journey worth taking. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Josan F. Russo - Art Director, William P. Scott - First Assistant Director, Robert Kaylor - Director, Garth Craven - Second Unit Director, Dennis E. Dolan - Editor, Stuart H. Pappe - Editor, Jonathan Taplin - Executive Producer, Alex North - Composer (Music Score), Charlene Roberson - Makeup, William J. Cassidy - Production Designer, Harry Stradling, Jr. - Cinematographer, Richard Hashimoto - Production Manager, Robbie Robertson - Producer, Jonathan Taplin - Producer, Ray Molyneaux - Set Designer, Charles R. Pierce - Set Designer, Arthur Brewer - Special Effects, Adams Calvert - Special Effects, Bill Kaplan - Sound/Sound Designer, Thomas Baum - Screenwriter, Robert Kaylor - Screenwriter, Robbie Robertson - Screenwriter, Phoebe Taylor - Short Story Author, Phoebe Kaylor - Short Story Author
