THE CIRCUS FREAK
When a joyless loser accidentally burns down the Big Top of Bartleby the Great's Circus extravaganza, he's forced to join the troupe to pay off his debts. While the script has many set pieces, from a mime interrogation to an elephant kidnapping, the story is really about fitting in and finding family, even if that means finding a family among freaks.
Zany Characters
Medium Budget
Total Tentpole Comedy
Cartoon or Live Action
Zoolander Vibes
Iconic Setpieces
THE STORY
Norm Newton is uptight, unhappy, and decidedly un-fun — and he's about to get caught in the last great circus war.
The story begins with our hero winning tickets to see Bartleby the Great's Circus Extravaganza.
When a band of clowns enter the ring, Norm suffers from an anxiety attack and goes outside to smoke a cigarette. Next thing he knows, he’s caught the tent on fire, burning the circus to the ground.
In order to pay back his debt, Norm has no choice but to join Bartleby’s crew. The plan is to send Norm undercover to the all-powerful and predatory Cirque Du Soleil's open audition in the hopes that Norm might discover some evidence to bring the organization to the ground.
With the help of hilarious characters like JOINED AT THE HEAD FRED AND ED, PICKPOCKET the thieving chimp, and SIMONE THE BEARED LADY, MD, Norm begins his training in the circus arts.
At first the performers subject him to all sorts of abuse. They send him careening on the trapeze and fighting the lions. They shoot him out of a cannon, and, perhaps worst of all, force him to confront his phobia of clowns in a big way!
The story ends with an epic, screwball-comedy battle between Norm and the very talented, very vile Soleil. It is here Norm is able to incorporate his circus training to defeat the villain and earn his place as a permanent member of Bartleby the Great's Circus Extravaganza.
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