The Circus: Soviet Glitz and a Whole Lot of Grin

Is it worth your time?

If you like old-school, over-the-top musicals and have a soft spot for weird historical artifacts, yeah, put it on. If you hate being told how to feel by a film—or if you’re allergic to 1930s-era forced optimism—you’ll probably want to skip this one entirely.

Lyubov Orlova is the whole show here. She’s got this grin that just doesn't quit, even when the plot gets heavy or the staging gets completely absurd.

Watching her perform is like watching a human firework. She’s clearly the star, and everyone else is just kind of occupying the space around her.

The circus acts themselves are actually pretty fun to look at. They have that dusty, practical feel that you just don't get with modern CGI garbage. You can tell they actually built the rig for the high-wire bits. It makes you a little nervous, which is good.

There is this one moment where the whole crowd starts singing, and it’s so rehearsed it’s almost funny. It’s like the movie is desperately grabbing your shoulders and shaking you to make sure you’re happy. Too happy.

I found myself thinking about Footlights and Fools while watching this. Both movies have that weird, manic energy where the performers are working way too hard to sell a fantasy. It’s exhausting, but you can’t look away.

The political stuff? It’s laid on thick. Like, really thick. There’s a scene near the end that feels less like a movie climax and more like a fever dream of a state-sponsored parade. It’s wild.

Some of the supporting characters are just… there. They show up, say their bit, and disappear into the background scenery. It’s a bit messy, honestly.

• The lighting in the circus tent is surprisingly moody for a feel-good film.
• The child actor, Jim Patterson, is remarkably calm given how much chaos is happening around him.
• The music is catchy, but it’ll definitely be stuck in your head for three days.

You can tell the director was trying to balance a personal story with a massive national message. It doesn't always work. Sometimes the seams show, and you can see the director sweating through the screen.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s a strange, loud, and weirdly charming relic. Just don't go in expecting something subtle. Subtlety was clearly not on the menu that day. 🎪