John Leguizamo: Freak

1998
8.2| 1h30m| en
Details

John Leguizamo's semi-falsified, one-man stand-up performance as...himself. This is his autobiographical story, about his life growing up, and his journey to try to be accepted by his father. We see this story through a bizarre myriad of characters and situations, which include the eccentric Uncle Sanny, the Fat Boy Called Bitch (John's little brother, Poochie), his mom, his evil grandmothers, and Lee Stratsberg, not to mention a brief appearance by Cantinflas as God.

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Reviews

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
Orla Zuniga It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
mihaitomy Heard about this classic gem from the internet, after i obtained it from some hard way's i was swept in. Leguizamo narrates his teen year's so natural and heartwarming, but with a dark sincere twist that i felt real emotions about my family. The father part hit the most. I highly recommend this to everyone. 10/10
amateur100 I just happened to come across this one-man-show on HBO, and I was hit in the face with true talent for the performing arts. John Leguizamo provided me with a fresh of breath air from today's Lindsey Lohans and the uncreative, less-than-quality shows and movies in cinema (and staged shows for that matter). He let me know that there is more to show business for an actor than choosing the right parts and getting lucky with a hit movie (granted, that may be part of it). For the main part, though, it is the skills needed to entertain, acquired through practice and hard work. I don't think I would be able to watch another standup for the length of this show. This show should stand as the epitome of great, contemporary Broadway.
l9rae This is a concert film done in a linear fashion, and John talks about this upbringing and his journey to be accepted by his father. His family members come alive in his story telling, and I am amazed at how clear his ideas are. This film kicks the c**p out of his first film Mambo Mouth. See it see it see it. Did I say see it?
Eight Two If you've ever seen John Leguizamo in "Freak", than you know what it is to watch a man give of his soul for two hours. Creating a unique hybrid of every kind of one-man show performance ever, Leguizamo tells us the abridged story of his life, and goes out of his way (with a riveting, touching, hilarious performance) to cushion the many blows he has to reveal for an audience so unsuspecting of a damaged genius. Directed for television by Spike Lee, John's *stage* performance was nominated for a Tony in 1998 for Best Actor In A Play (he lost to Anthony LaPaglia). His past show, "Spic-O-Rama", showed a diversity to play the eccentric characters of his life. But "Freak" proves something much greater: on such a fluid, risky platform as a one-man show with nearly no blackouts, Leguizamo can express emotions that are not yet eccentric or dull, but real. To see him give child abuse a whimsical perspective leaves a mark on you. This is what he will be remembered for.*****