User Reviews

Well, I was a fan of The Red Balloon, and recently acquired it on 16mm, along with another title called The Merry-Go-Round Horse, both of which are very similar to this style of film-making (simple story, no dialogue, which may have been more of a marketing ploy for export than artistic license). In fact, I thought I remember seeing Balducci's name attached to Merry-Go-Round Horse, but I don't see mention of it here...maybe I'm wrong or not looking in the right place.

Anyway, THIS title isn't bad, but the ending--oh my.

The spoiler: well, at the end, you find that the boy's dog ends up with a blind man. You're not really sure if that's where the dog originated from, but at the end of the film, you see the dog leading the blind man RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC! To top THAT, you see that the dog is pulling the man along, as if trying to get away from him! What a shame they couldn't have cast the part of the dog with a better dog actor! The ending had me in stitches!

I saw this film as a child (I am now 62), and it was deeply seared into my memory - and into my heart. I will never, ever forget the emotion and heartbreak this lovely film drew out of me. Ever after, I was able to recall the scene of the young boy, staring at the photo of his beloved lost dog, weeping in utter despair......I am crying now, recalling vividly how that scene broke my heart, recalling how I wanted so much to comfort that small child, wanted to do anything in my power to help him find his lost best friend. I recall how, as soon as the film was over, I went to the piano and wrote out the plaintive score from memory. Even the music brought forth tears, then and now. I have avoided looking for this beautiful film all of these many years later because I simply couldn't bear to rip my heart in two again, but for some reason it came to mind again this evening and I looked it up. While a big part of me is thrilled to know it can be seen once again, I surprised myself in my inability (or fear) to watch it once more. I got only two minutes into the film and once again found the tears welling up in my eyes. I'm sure that had I allowed myself to relive the aforenoted scene of the weeping boy, I would have been an utter and complete emotional wreck. What can I say? My mind may have grown, my body has definitely aged, and life has toughened (and perhaps embittered) my outlook, but my heart still aches for this sweet child, the deep bond he shared with his dog, and the overwhelming power of love to bring us to our knees. I promise, this film will stay with you forever.

Like 'The Red Balloon', 'Clown' is another rare jewel not to let escape. And they are both french. However, 'Clown' is totally wordless. Even if some words were said, you wouldn't have to understand french to understand its story. For instance, 'The Red Balloon' has a few words but there's no need to know french in order to understand what is seen.

'Clown' is a wonderful tale of a sweet little boy and his beloved dog (named Clown), a tale that takes place in the streets of Montmartre, Paris. The kid is very fond of his four-legged friend and the dog is very fond of him too. But, no matter how friendly and loyal man's best friend is, every man's best friend has a free spirit and Clown decides to have a little adventure, which causes the kid to lose track of him. The kid tries his best to find his devoted pal, alone but also with the help of people whom he shows Clown's portrait, hoping someone can help him. He has no luck. He gets so heartbroken that he gets a runny nose from the tears he cries.

The ending is a surprise. It's a nice ending, although there is a minor flaw to it, but none of that can take away the perfection from this wonderful small film.

The cinematography is excellent. The Montmartre/Paris settings are simply très jolie and the gorgeous music suits in perfection both for the city and for the short film itself.

Gilou Pelletier is cute as a button and perfect as the little boy. Clown is a cute dog, loving and a great "actor" either.

As with 'The Red Balloon', 'Clown' is a time-machine, taking us to the good old days of innocence and happiness. This is a prime example of how to make cinema. They don't make anything like this anymore. This is from a time when things were made with quality, soul, love and care, now it's all for the money.

This should definitely be on Top 250.