Nick Hebb This is a perfect dark comedy. Plain and simple. It's pretty unknown, but it's a film that needs a viewing.Bobcat puts on one helluva show, he is a unique writer, director, and actor. Learning that this was his first movie he wrote, directed, and starred in made it all the more interesting. Tom Kenny's role still gives me the creeps! I can't picture him as anything else.I highly recommend this movie to all fans of dark humor, or fans of Bobcat. It truly is the Citizen Kane of alcoholic clown movies. It's a 90's movie, so the campy humor will be abundant, but it still holds to this day. Check this movie out, you will not be disappointed, it's easily in my top 10 movies of all time.

Paul Magne Haakonsen I sat down to watch "Shakes the Clown" because Bobcat Goldthwait was in it, and I had no idea that I was in for a movie with this many famous people in it. I had not anticipated that at all.The story is about Shakes, a clown with a love of drinking. He is told to get his act together or his will be fired, when he finds himself framed for a murder.Despite having so many talented names on the cast list, then I was not even remotely entertained by this movie, much less brought to laughs. I really didn't laugh a single time, truth be told.Perhaps I didn't get the symbolism between the alcoholism and the imagery of clowns. But, for me, it just didn't mix well together, much less make for an entertaining movie."Shakes the Clown" wasn't particularly my type of movie, and thus I think the movie is worth a 3 out of 10 stars.

ruinously Embarrassment is the emotion you should be feeling if you have not seen Shakes the Clown. You owe it to yourself to see this terrific comedy. The language in this is classic. Like when Shakes shows up at a birthday party and the father asks "You the clown?" and Shakes, in full clown get-up, responds "No, I'm Mary F'ing Poppins." That is just funny.If there is one comedy that I am glad I stumbled upon, Shakes has to be it. It just goes from one hilarious quote or scene to the next. Who knew alcoholic clowns could be so much fun.If I was only limited to one movie to recommend to people, Shakes the Clown would be it. Get a case of beer and some buddies, then pop Shakes the Clown in the DVD player and prepare to be completely satisfied. In case you are wondering, it can be enjoyed sober.

marc This movie won't win any technical awards, but if you like dark comedies (this film makes "Barton Fink" look light and breezy at times), this is the movie for you. At times uproariously funny, the poignant parts are luckily kept to a minimum, and there are gritty moments as well. Whether you're a rodeo clown, party clown, or even a lowly mime, this is a movie chock full of lines you'll find yourself repeating in all the most inappropriate occasions. Besides--didn't you kind of suspect that all clowns were miserable deep down, and drunk constantly? Just beware--this is not a kids' film by any stretch of the imagination, and some of the scenes of Shakes dealing with his alcoholism are stomach-churning, but it provides the backdrop for some serious comedic writing unmatched by virtually every other film out there.