Vulgar

Vulgar is an independent film that first made waves in 2000. This dark, mature-themed movie stars Brian O'Halloran, Bryan Johnson, and Jerry Lewkowitz, also known as key stakeholders in the creation of View Askew Productions, spearheaded by renowned filmmaker Kevin Smith. Despite Smith only serving as the executive producer for this project, the film is often associated with his filmmaking style due to the involvement of his frequent collaborators.

This daring film centers around the character of Will Carlson (Brian O'Halloran), a down-on-his-luck, struggling party clown who goes by the stage name "Flappy". Forced to face his financial pressures and the feeling of personal unfulfillment, Carlson feels the need to reinvent his act and create a unique character that can rise above the normal crowd-pleasing clown routine.

This is when the character 'Vulgar the Klown', an audacious clown prostitute emerges out of Carlson's world-weary psyche. Designed to cater to a niche and select clientele, Vulgar attracts both attention and controversy with his outrageous persona. Brian O’Halloran convincingly portrays the layer of yearning vulnerability beneath the paint-smeared face of this antic oddball who finds himself flirting with the fringes of acceptable society.

Bound to provoke strong reactions in the audience, Vulgar leans into the shocking and disturbing, often through the exploration of brutal and traumatic events which Carlson must subsequently cope with. Bryan Johnson, the film’s director and co-star, utilises these harrowing scenes to delve into the depths of Carlson's resilience, the morality of society and the price one can pay in the pursuit of fame. This is not a typical, lighthearted clown flick – it is a film filled with dark shades of trauma and unique subplots that creates an uneasy intersection between comedy, drama, and horror.

Meanwhile, Bryan Johnson plays Syd Gilbert, a driven producer who discovers and uses Carlson's persona to fruition, seeing the potential in Vulgar the Klown to hit it big on the small screen. Their convoluted professional relationship, tempered by mutual self-interest and markedly contrasting personal ethics, unwraps a riveting dynamic. Jerry Lewkowitz features as Ed Fanelli, a sinister figure encumbered with malevolence, adding yet another layer of tension-filled narrative to the plot.

Vulgar is a film that’s coffined within a shell of grim events, accentuated by the underbelly of performing arts and the constant struggle between individual aspirations and societal expectations. It is a uniquely audacious feat in its own right that reflects the experimental nature of late 90's-early 2000's independent cinema. At its core, it’s a story about survival, transformation, personal demons and the lengths one is willing to go to gain recognition or acceptance.

While humor is certainly present within the film, it comes layered with a grotesque truth about some harsh realities of life. The heavy themes, explicit scenes, and explicit violence can make it a difficult viewing experience for some. Therefore, this film certainly appeals to a niche audience open to darker, more adult-themed content.

A lot can be said about Vulgar’s visual style as well. Its occasional gritty and grimy aesthetics align perfectly with the subject matter, adding an additional layer to its general ambiance, making the film feel as raw as the story it portrays. It masterfully utilizes its visual storytelling to its advantage, creating stark contrasts between the vibrant world of the clown and the darker reality Carlson experiences.

In Vulgar, director Bryan Johnson proffers an incisive commentary on the blurred lines between fame and notoriety, personal sacrifices, and the desperation that often accompanies financial struggle. The cast delivers dedicated performances, resulting in a film that is as thought-provoking as it is unsettling.

Vulgar is a daring blend of grit, grim reality, and the hint of humor that exists on the borderline of morality and acceptance, making it a raw, unorthodox film that seamlessly straddles comedy, drama, and thriller. Despite its name and its shocking premise, Vulgar is a deep, engaging exploration of a man's struggle with life, identity, and purpose. For viewers seeking an unconventional film that pushes boundaries and subverts expectations, Vulgar serves as a testament to the powerful potential of independent filmmaking.