Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- sardonic
- abrasive
- bleakly comic
- cult movie night
- dark comedy night
What critics said
Critics found several memorable comic moments but judged the film scattered, crude, and underdeveloped overall.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Shakes works as a party clown while spending his free time drinking heavily, and the plot moves through rival clowns, mimes, bars, and a murder investigation.
The film combines crude clown rivalries, alcoholism, professional humiliation, and murder with intentionally harsh comic framing.
Shakes's drinking depresses him, threatens his job, and repeatedly interferes with his ability to control his life.
After being framed for his boss's murder, Shakes poses as a hated mime to gather information and clear his name.
Films like Shakes the Clown, and why
The Fisher King
dark comedy about an alcoholic outsider navigating a hostile professional subculture
After Hours
abrasive ensemble comedy blending crime elements with bleak, offbeat humor
World's Greatest Dad
cult black comedy centered on dysfunctional performers and deliberately crude social satire
Movie Details
- Director
- Bobcat Goldthwait
- Release Date
- 1991-08-28
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (99)
Cast
- Bobcat Goldthwait
- Julie Brown
- Adam Sandler
- Blake Clark
- Tom Kenny
- Paul Dooley
- Kathy Griffin
- Robin Williams
- LaWanda Page
- Martin Charles Warner
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Shakes the Clown about?
- An alcoholic party clown becomes a murder suspect and infiltrates a rival mime community to reclaim his career and clear his name.
- What is Shakes the Clown like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shakes the Clown as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Shakes the Clown violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Shakes the Clown as mild.
- What did critics think of Shakes the Clown?
- Critics found several memorable comic moments but judged the film scattered, crude, and underdeveloped overall.
- Which films are like Shakes the Clown?
- Films with a similar feel include The Fisher King, After Hours, and World's Greatest Dad.
- How long is Shakes the Clown?
- Shakes the Clown runs 87 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shakes the Clown?
- In United States, Shakes the Clown streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
