The Show Goes On: A Circus Drama That Almost Makes the Jump

Is this worth a watch?

Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for vintage circus atmosphere and love triangles that take way too long to resolve. If you're looking for something fast-paced or a gritty look at the industry, you'll probably hate it. It's slow. Like, really slow.

I found myself zoning out during the long performance scenes. The acrobatic stunts are fine, but they don't exactly jump off the screen with excitement. It felt like watching a neighbor's home movie of a carnival trip from eighty years ago.

Small things that stuck

There's a moment about halfway through where one of the performers stares off-camera for about five seconds too long. It felt like they forgot their line. It was weirdly charming.

The costumes are surprisingly detailed, though. You can really tell they put some money into the lace and sequins. It’s a shame the script didn’t get that same level of care.

• Anna Neagle looks like she's having a blast, even when the dialogue is clunky.
• The tent lighting is surprisingly moody.
• I still don't understand why the main guy makes the decisions he makes.

It reminds me a bit of the vibe in Sensation im Wintergarten, but without the same punch. There’s a lot of staring at each other in shadows. Sometimes I wanted someone to just scream or drop a tray of props just to break the silence.

It's not a bad movie. It’s just... tired. Like a performer who has done the same routine for twenty years and is finally ready to retire. If you want to kill an hour and a half, it’ll do, but don't expect your life to change. 🎪