Firecracker (2005)

Too much of everything

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

The first must-see film of the year.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

A troubled young boy suffering at the hands of his abusive older brother seeks solace in the arms of a traveling burlesque circus singer in this surreal, true crime thriller that follows in the tradition of David Lynch's Blue Velvet and marks the acting debut of former Faith No More frontman Mike Patton. Jimmy (Jak Kendall) is a small-town dreamer who only seems to find peace while walking the candy-colored boardwalk of the traveling circus that has recently rolled into town. Emotionally shackled by his mother Eleanor's (Karen Black) religious fanaticism and physically intimidated by his alcoholic brother, David (Mike Patton), Jimmy leads a meek life of servitude and submissiveness from which he is powerless to escape. Upon glimpsing the exotic beauty of sultry singer Sandra (also Black), Jimmy furtively strikes up a friendship with the woman despite ominous signs that she is being held captive behind the microphone by sadistic circus ringmaster Frank (also Patton). When David goes missing and the horrors of Jimmy's home life are mirrored by the suffering of Sandra in the most unexpected ways, the perceived peace of small-town Kansas is forever shattered by the terrifying truth behind the wholesome, white picket-fence facade of suburbia

Saturday night live used to have a sketch called bad theater. usually some imitation of ibsen with a guy pushing a big stone wheel around and around while screaming. this movie is like that. all kinds of gimmics. some scenes are in black and white, some in color. probably for the dream world/reality thing. karen black, who looks older than dirt, plays a crazy mother and a mutilated singer. again some duality bull manure. one son is mean and over acts. the other son is shy and overacts. mean son gives it to shy son up the rear end for some reason. shy son kills mean son. the whole thing is a confused art house mish mash that is kind of cool to look at, meaning the photography is sometimes pretty but is a big fat waste of your life to watch as a movie.

Encountered this one tonight (11/5/06) for the first time. Wow! This isn't easy material. It appears the filmmakers try to help by developing characters beyond what's necessary, but even at that, many won't think they can relate. The in-your-face result is interesting. It could well mimic how it feels in real life, where the action doesn't relent just because you've gotten the point.The cinematography is gripping, but can't possibly exceed the story(s). The film's value is in the validation it provides those who are aware they've lived through it. Not literally, necessarily: just being around these characters, you pick it up.In reality, fate isn't easy on anyone. For those who know it, this is a must see.

This has to be the biggest waste of time that ever called itself a movie. It's one of perhaps 5 movies that I would never sit through, even for money. The only one in our family that seemed to enjoy it is our cross-eyed cat. It kept turning its head side ways until it finally fell over. Blockbuster should be ashamed of putting this movie on its shelf. I hated it and so did my dog, it causes him to hike his leg every time he hears the word "Firecracker" now. Karen Black was awful in this movie. The movie had no story line and looks like the local High School drama club shot it on a hand held home movie camera. The cast had no direction and the acting was pitiful. What a waste of time and four dollars.