Very entertaining film pits rival bands of clowns (Rodeo, party, and mime clowns) against each other in a weird alternate world dominated by archetypes of 1950s entertainment (much like Tim Burton's equally entertaining "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"). Goldthwait acts up a storm as the clinically alcoholic title character. The photography is as dark as the film's viewpoint -- this one is a keeper!

Shakes is truly sympathetic because he never solicits pity or tries to be cute (like Sandler would have if it was his film). Here honesty pays off, because we'd really like to see Shakes hook up with his dream girl (Brown) by the end. Nice character acting all around, especially the clowns in the bar and the 2 cops.

Memorable and highly recommended.

Troubled alcoholic clown Shakes (a fearless performance by Bobcat Goldthwait, who also directed and wrote the quirky script) has to sober up long enough to clear his name after he gets framed for a murder that he didn't commit.

Goldthwait adroitly crafts a surreal, wacky, and perversely twisted comic tone that precariously blends the grotesque and the hilarious with surprising effectiveness: While the wickedly funny sense of pitch-black humor may not be to everyone's liking, those with a penchant for the weird and warped should find this movie to be a total riot. Moreover, Goldthwait also ably explores the dichotomy of seeming happy on the outside while being completely miserable on the inside.

The uniformly ace acting by the game cast keeps this film humming: Julie Brown radiates a sweet perky charm as Shakes's concerned waitress girlfriend Judy, Tom Kenny portrays evil and ruthless rival clown Binky with lip-smacking venomous aplomb, Adam Sandler lends sturdy support as the mild-mannered Dink, Paul Dooley does his usual fine work as long-suffering agent Owen Cheese, Blake Cark excels as gruff transvestite Stenchy, and Kathy Griffin adds some vinegar as the snarky Lucy. Popping up in memorable cameos are Milton Berle as a surly barfly clown, Robin Williams as an obnoxiously hearty mime instructor, and Florence "Mrs. Brady" Henderson as a one night stand. A real loopy hoot.

I sat down to watch "Shakes the Clown" because Bobcat Goldthwait was in it, and I had no idea that I was in for a movie with this many famous people in it. I had not anticipated that at all.

The story is about Shakes, a clown with a love of drinking. He is told to get his act together or his will be fired, when he finds himself framed for a murder.

Despite having so many talented names on the cast list, then I was not even remotely entertained by this movie, much less brought to laughs. I really didn't laugh a single time, truth be told.

Perhaps I didn't get the symbolism between the alcoholism and the imagery of clowns. But, for me, it just didn't mix well together, much less make for an entertaining movie.

"Shakes the Clown" wasn't particularly my type of movie, and thus I think the movie is worth a 3 out of 10 stars.