This movie is truly one of the best originally made-for-TV movies I've ever seen. First, I would like to say, this is by no means an horror film. It doesn't even resemble one. The story is simple, and without revealing too much, is more of an exploration of human vanity. This, however, does not detract from the movie - characters are well defined, their motivations and interests are consistent and all of them have a back story, even if it is never stated. They have a great deal of depth.
Sets were perfectly well suited for each other - sideshows have a timeless quality about them, as far as the general public knows, they haven't been updated very much. There would be no sideshow that would make a person say "That's from the 1920s" or "that's from the 1820s". Because of this, the outside world is also given a timeless quality, which made the filming in Eastern Europe ideal. There are buildings with decades of difference between them right next to each other. Costumes are similarly indistinct. All of this serves one purpose: to help you understand that this story; indeed, this message, is not meant for one specific time period.
There are also the 'controversial' (I don't think the movie was popular enough to cause controversy) sideshow attractions. One could misunderstand and think that the message is hypocritical because it comes from somebody who displays people for vain reasons. Instead, the movie serves to help you understand...they aren't being exploited, they are using the very thing that sets them apart in order to get a leg-up.
I think this is a great film; all of the elements fit together very well and it gives two messages (One about vanity; one about why we need to bond because of our differences, not despite them) without being preachy. But if you're looking for a horror movie, I'd suggest something else.
Sets were perfectly well suited for each other - sideshows have a timeless quality about them, as far as the general public knows, they haven't been updated very much. There would be no sideshow that would make a person say "That's from the 1920s" or "that's from the 1820s". Because of this, the outside world is also given a timeless quality, which made the filming in Eastern Europe ideal. There are buildings with decades of difference between them right next to each other. Costumes are similarly indistinct. All of this serves one purpose: to help you understand that this story; indeed, this message, is not meant for one specific time period.
There are also the 'controversial' (I don't think the movie was popular enough to cause controversy) sideshow attractions. One could misunderstand and think that the message is hypocritical because it comes from somebody who displays people for vain reasons. Instead, the movie serves to help you understand...they aren't being exploited, they are using the very thing that sets them apart in order to get a leg-up.
I think this is a great film; all of the elements fit together very well and it gives two messages (One about vanity; one about why we need to bond because of our differences, not despite them) without being preachy. But if you're looking for a horror movie, I'd suggest something else.