The opening scene
of Freaks traps the audience into curiosity to view the inhuman sight of
a transformed Cleo. The carnie leads us
to the start of the story and a quick state of grief; while we watch as an older
gentleman insists that the “freaks” leave the abandoned property they innocently
play on, we become more sorrowful for the abnormal humans. Yet, in Todd
Browning’s successful effort, it’s difficult to see these “freaks” as humans at all. Similar to the audience depicted at the
beginning of the film, we, as viewers of the movie, are also drawn in; which further
separates the “freaks” as freaks, and not like humans at all.
In Freaks,
although the evil characters are the “normal humans,” the “freaks” are
ultimately presented in a negative way:
the ending demonstrates that the “freaks” seek vengeance, putting them
in the center of a horror movie, revealing that they truly are monstrous,
unsightly, and ultimately, a circus show, rather than people at all.
The disclaimer at
the beginning of the film seems to show mercy on the “freaks” and forces the
audience to require respect; however, it also does a further job (whether
directly, or indirectly) of separating the freaks from “normal” humans. After
all, a horror movie wouldn’t exist without a concept of the difference between “freaks”
and humans; for example, a movie with “normal” humans, representing good and
evil, would likely be more of an action, thriller, or suspenseful film. The title of the film itself produces a
previous judgment of the characters even before viewing it. Evidently, the word “freak,” is filled with
negative connotations, defining scary and unsightly “things.” Because Browning entirely separates the “freaks”
from the human category, they are automatically deemed as deficient, unsuitable,
and therefore, malevolent. Browning
likely realized that few people would desire to see a film titled: People with Physical Impairments.
Besides the title
of the film, the main plot fundamentally disconnects the freaks from the
humans. Let’s examine the relationship
between two of the main characters: Cleo
and Hans. Cleo and Hans are clearly
separated from the beginning. As Cleo seduces
love-struck Hans, she possesses dominance over him; this is because she is
“normal.” Hans, the “freak,” is easily
fooled by Cleo’s affection for him, further separating him into this explicit “freak”
category. The camera assists in emphasizing
the size difference between them, again detaching the two.
Although the title
of the film and improbable relationship between Cleo and Hans set a negative
precedent for the “freaks,” perhaps the main problem with Freaks is the dramatic
murder/transformation scene. The film
already likely disturbs the audience by displaying rare deformities, but
further does so by giving these impaired humans deadly weapons and sinister
expressions. It’s not everyday that one
might see the “human worm” and the “half man.”
Moreover, our leaving impression on these characters is quite violent
and disturbing when the army of “freaks” are holding knives, crawling through the
mud, and chasing after Cleo. This scene defines
horror! It depicts what one might see in
a nightmare. In reality, the freaks are
only seeking their rightful vengeance; however, the scene frightens us, perhaps
because we relate more to Cleo and Hercules, rather than the “freaks.”
When Cleo is
turned from a human into an unsightly creature, she becomes a circus display
and the public rejects her. Her heinous
soul is finally revealed when her outside appearance changes from beautiful to hideous. Although the freaks deserved that justice,
does Cleo’s transformation reinforce the idea that “freaks” are freaks because
of their evil deeds/evil mind? Cleo and
Hercules were the first ones to exhibit evil in the film; however, the “freaks”
band together and quickly return evil for evil. Although Browning depicts
Cleo and Hercules as the villains in the film, the “freaks” maintain their
horror because of their physical and mental disabilities. Throughout the film, Browning strives to show
the “freaks” as the “good guys,” yet he ultimately fails with an ending that
disturbs the audience and transforms the innocent “freaks” into a band of
monsters.
Just a couple side notes . . .
Browning’s impertinent
advertisement for the film forces the audience to question his intentions in
producing the film. For example, the
poster shown on page 35 of our course packet displays utter insensitivity for
the “freaks.” This poster was designed
purely for show. If this was the case
and Freaks was filmed in order for our viewing pleasure/horror, it’s a
good thing that this film wasn’t well received!
Additionally, it’s
funny how the circus is a popular setting for dysfunction and horror, at least
to Browning. After viewing “The
Unknown,” we can see that circus people, although filled with “love” (or rather
obsession) in their hearts, go to extremes for vengeance (Alonzo and Hans),
encouraging the concept of circus freaks. I guess there’s no way that a “freak” could
handle normal heartache without pushing it to the extreme . . .
Hillary,
ReplyDeleteYour argument that the "freaks", though they wind up being the heroes, are treated inappropriately, is spot on. Many of the shots seem to serve the purpose of spotlighting their differences rather than identifying them as people just like the rest of society, which is clear as day in the film. The final scenes in which they band together and kill/disfigure the "normal" people of the film, Cleopatra and Hercules, are directed in a way that further differentiates them, and seems only to vilify their differences rather than highlight their similarities to people without physical deformities. The final scene of Cleopatra's transformation into a "freak" insinuates that people with these differences are shows to marvel at and be horrified by rather than something to accept, causing the intention of the film to be muddled with confusion. The shots of the "freaks" crawling through the mud with knives seems to vilify them more than justify their rightful actions, bringing to question the intention of the film. Nice post!