udar55 Frankie (Gary Busey) and Patch (Robbie Robertson of The Band) are two carnival hustlers traveling from town to town in the South. In one spot Frankie picks up Donna (Jodie Foster), an 18-year old who literally runs away with the circus. Naturally, things tense up between Frankie and Patch as Donna tries to learn the carny lifestyle. Man, back in the day one could make a movie about the life of carnival workers and it didn't have to be profound or condescending. CARNY just tells it like it is, showcasing the carnival folk and their life. What is so interesting about the film (outside of Busey's maniac performance) is how Robert Kaylor deviates from expectations. One would expect Busey and Robertson to fight over who gets the girl but they don't. Instead, they act normal as Foster is the one who gets emotional over it. The supporting cast is incredible and features Tim Thomerson, Kenneth McMillan, Elisha Cook, Jr., Meg Foster and Teddy Wilson.

JasparLamarCrabb A real unsung movie from the early 80s. Jodie Foster literally runs away and joins the carnival where she hooks up with smooth Robbie Robertson and his crony...carny clown Gary Busey. They're both womanizing cads who nonetheless give Foster an education she may very well not want. CARNY is a depressing, enthralling, and extremely well-made film. Director Robert Kaylor infuses the film with a lot of melancholy touches...from the desperate fights with local politicos to the desperate lives the carnies lead. The story is perhaps a bit too depressing, but it is still great movie making. Meg Foster (creepy eyes and all) appears as one of the carnival barkers. The great Bert Remsen and Elisha Cook are in it too as is Craig Wasson in an early role as a jock who gets his comeuppance. Whatever happened to Robert Kaylor?

Jugu Abraham This is not a great movie but it could have been one.The casting is top notch (I am impressed by Meg Foster with her unforgettable eyes even though her screen time in the movie was insignificant). Jodie Foster is young, attractive and impulsive; so different from the later day mature Jodie Foster, who exudes confidence and intelligence.Yet the film that starts off like a European film with the lead actor painting his face to play a clown. The sequence readies you for great moments of clowning/tragedy. This never happens. If it does it happens in isolated moments of the film.The problem lies with the screenplay and direction. You expect cinema of a Istvan Szabo or a Marcel Carne, instead you are dished out disconnected sequences that appeal to you merely due to the rich potential of the performers. Gary Busey's and Robbie Richardson's characters strike you, not Jodie Foster's. They strike you because they added some depth and feeling to their roles. Jodie Foster does not do so in comparison. I liked her in the movie because she looked good, not because of the quality of her performance.Just imagine if this cast and story were in the hands of Robert Altman or Marcel Carne or Istvan Szabo. We would have had a great film!

Mister-6 This may not be a familiar title to many, but for me, "Carny" marks a major turning point in the career of Jodie Foster.In "Carny", she plays a regular young woman who is lured by the excitement of the midway into becoming one of the regular carnival members or, as the title calls them, a carny.This is basically a story about carnival life, the nomadic existance of the carnies and the eventual maturing of Foster's character by this new way of life. Watching her adjustments, both easy and difficult, make it easy to see why she received more difficult roles after this.Robbie Robertson, leader of The Band, plays a fellow carny and love interest for Foster. He is all cool assurance and strong emotional center, both of which are things Foster's character is looking for. It's a wonder Robertson hasn't been in more movies since.Gary Busey, in a performance that is both humorous and borderline psychotic, plays a dunk tank clown that forever taunts patrons, both in and out of the cage. He is also involved with Foster, and finds himself at odds with Robertson over her attentions.If there's one problem with this film it's that it is too brief. More likely than not a filming decision but see it yourself and see if you don't agree.Eight stars.Now, "Carny" is a movie that DESERVES a sequel.