The Plight of Clownana (2004) User Reviews

Worth Watching

[sweatprod · 23 November 2004]

Funny as hell. Extremely original. Certainly an independent film. For a film done with no dialogue, but all voice over, the pacing is right on. Early on in the film, the are slight lulls, but it gives you time to love The Clownana, and it pays off at the end. The acting is fine. The characters come to life without uttering a single word. The two leads are very expressive and capable. The dancing is funny and professional. The script and delivery are perfect. Clownana's deadpan narrative sets the tone from the very beginning. I definitely recommend watching this short with a group of friends or a whole theater as I did in Atlanta. As a whole, this thing is great...and prepare yourself for the dance-off.

Awesome Short Film

[tek9650 · 10/10 · 5 September 2005]

Clownana is, quite simply, one of the funniest short films that I have ever seen! It is very cleverly written and directed by Chris Dowling, who I expect to see much more from in the future. I was fortunate to see this film at the Deep Ellum Film Festival in Dallas and the Century City Film Festival in Los Angeles. In both cases, the audience howled with laughter over the plight of the half-clown, half-banana ice cream store mascot as he battles for sidewalk supremacy over his new nemesis. Told in voice-over narrative by the title character, you understand the ups and downs of this red-nosed yellow mascot. The climax of the film comes during the final dance-off, as the street is only big enough for one store mascot. The audience response went through the roof when Clownana's nemesis introduced his two 'associates' to the proceedings in order to attempt to destroy Clownana completely. The dance sequences were amazing and the soundtrack was a perfect match for the story. An awesome effort for a new writer/director. If you can't catch it on the big screen, you can enjoy it at clownana.com. I highly recommend it.

Funny and definitely original

[myself_27 · 9/10 · 14 February 2006]

After my recently developed Jensen Ackles obsession I reviewed his IMDb profile and discovered this little treat.

With its wonderfully convenient showing on the official website I didn't have to wait.

This little ditty is exceedingly funny. It very independent film style but I think the uniqueness of it story line would appeal to everyone.

Its definitely worth a look and as its not that long you should be able to get a quick laugh out of it. It certainly brightened up my very boring morning at work.

In my opinion it would make a great skit scene at the begin of a movie (kind of like the ones on kid's movies) but would have to be at least PG-13.

Excellent short Film..Definitely worth watching!!!!!!!!

[quietstorm78 · 10/10 · 20 December 2005]

This is a brilliant work of art and very well put together.. A short but extremely funny film about a dancing Banana and his rival Dildoman.There isn't a dull moment from beginning to end. The music is great,and the characters are hilarious. Together with their incredible choreography and their insanely funny rivalry this movie will have every body on the floor cracking up especially with the little surprises through out the whole film.I recommend everybody with a sense of humor to watch the incredible "Clownana"! I only wish it was longer and most of you will agree once you watch it. Chris Dowling is a genius!!!!!

For the easily entertained

[Horst_In_Translation · 2/10 · 13 February 2016]

Do you find grown-up people in banana costumes funny? Do you find grown-ups in dildo costumes funny? Congratulations! Then "The Plight of Clownana" is probably the perfect watch for you. I personally don't and that is why I could see nothing of quality in this 16-minute short film from over 10 years ago. Actor Jensen Ackles played a major role in the making of this movie as actor and producer. He is one of the core characters in one of my favorite shows of all time "Dark Angel", so I was genuinely disappointed to see him involved with this crappy project here. The writer and director, however, is Chris Dowling and it says a lot about his talent that this fairly unknown short film here is probably still his most known work to date. Or about the lack thereof. It does not deliver from a comedy perspective and certainly not from a dramatic perspective either. Don't be fooled by the IMDb rating and don't let nerds tell you otherwise. This film is bananas and not in a positive context. Highly not recommended.

Amazing

[Jael001 · 10/10 · 4 April 2007]

This is a genius piece of short-film-making. Narrated by the writer and director of this film, Chris Dowling's voice is the only one we hear, the two 'leads' never saying a word but conveying all their emotions via the medium of dance.

On the surface the idea of a film about a man dressed as a clown/banana is a bit odd...but when you see what's been done with it, how an apparently absurd film can reveal to us so much about the way we deal with problems in our lives, with change and bigotry, it makes us (well me anyway) stop and think, and it's a cracking piece of entertainment too.

a must see for everyone from earth

[sobek1 · 10/10 · 28 December 2005]

If you are from the planet Earth, and you do not see this movie, then you should be from some other planet, like Pluto...far far away from cool people. However if you are from the planet Earth, and you HAVE seen this movie...then shame on you for wasting time reading this when you could be telling others about the joy of the Clownana. Honestly, the film is just a joy to watch. I actually viewed it at the Arclight in Holllywood, California, and was very surprised with everything about it, from the directing, to the acting, to the voice over narration, to the very idea and storyline of the film. I do not want to give away some of the films bigger surprises, but if at all possible, I absolutely recommend seeing this film...which should be possible. Just google the title and go to the website. At the end of the day, a great film for a great time!

definitely worth seeing

[aurelia-acc · 10/10 · 26 July 2005]

It's such an original and funny short film, you really should see it ;) The main characters, Clownana and his "rival", are amazing and their choreographs, on well known musics and original ones, are both great and funny. You can forget Michael Jackson or Jennifer Garner in "13 going on 30" and welcome Clownana ! Some scenes are truly priceless as for example when Clownana's rival is joined by his little fellows, I laughed so hard that I had to wipe some tears . What I find very original is the fact that there's no dialog, it's just narration, a very well done one which makes it easier to understand for non native English speakers. Only one regret though: it's too short ! so you have to watch it again and again :)

What better a metaphor for life than a clown?

[DaisyDoria · 10/10 · 14 June 2006]

What better a metaphor for life than a clown? Especially a sad clown. The more depressed, decrepit, broken-down, busted-up, and bruised the clown is, the better a metaphor for life. Perhaps this is where the majority of coulrophobia stems from. Nobody wants to look a metaphor in the eye, now do they? The truth hurts! Bananas, on the other hand, don't tend to incite fear. A banana is a nice fruit. A good fruit. Yellow, aesthetically pleasing, and smooth. Sometimes, people slip on their peels and hurt themselves, much to the merriment of all. Honest, clean fun - yes, who doesn't like bananas? What better way, then, to clean up a clown than to cross-breed it with a banana? "Madness!" you say? Well, it's not madness to Ishmael, for he is the Clownana.

"The Plight of Clownana" is a short film, 16 minutes long if I was counting correctly. Written and directed by Chris Dowling, and produced by Chris and his friend Jensen Ackles, it tells the story of an ice cream store mascot, the Clownana, doing his part to repair the crappy rep of those dreaded clowns that nobody wants to look in the eye. He dances, wearing a hybrid banana-clown suit, on the corner of Olive and Beachwood, and yes he is good. It is his calling, his passion, his essence. He is bringing joy to passers-by with his awesome moves. All is peachy until a sex shop opens across the street, sending forth its own dancing mascot in the form of a giant furry dildo. Dildo man is good too. He's real good. And so begins a petty rivalry.

As Clownana starts to doubt his purpose in life, he philosophizes like some kind of plushie Voltaire, his faith tested as was Candide's. At his lowest point, provoked by four jerks in a jeep, Ishmael snaps, dragging one of those insufferably smug meatheads out of the car for a throw-down. Well, I'm not going to ruin the glorious ending of this wonderful film for you. High-brow and tongue-in-cheek, "The Plight of Clownana" delivers a little shot of inspiration coupled with more than a dash of absurdity. Camus once said, "The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth." Absurd like clowns, bananas, giant fuzzy penises, dance-offs, street-fighting jocks and...absurd like, well, life.

hybrid clown-banana-man dances and makes everyone laugh

[lanasarkis · 10/10 · 4 April 2007]

this short is as HILARIOUS and i've shown it to everyone i know and they've shown it to everyone they know and so on and so on. if you don't laugh while watching this at least 12 times then you must be dead inside. the narration, characters, costumes, script, etc. is spot on. the entire film is completely original, but there is one scene in particular that i guarantee you have never and will never see in any other movie. check this movie out!! i didn't personally recognize any of the cast members but apparently, based on some of the other comments i read, there are some well knowns in the plight of clownana, at least in cameo roles. i've tried to explain the plot to people who haven't seen it before, and maybe it's just my explanation, but it doesn't always translate well, so just do yourself a favor and watch the plight of clownana.

Plight of Clownana

[petersl1 · 10/10 · 5 April 2007]

"The Plight of Clownana "is the funniest short film I've ever seen! It is very original and the voice over and music are both right on throughout! I mean, not only is there a clown/banana hybrid, but a "Dildo Man?" It is too funny to properly put into words. I was extremely impressed with this given that it's an independent, short film. I was giggling through every moment of this hilarity!!!! Since I've watched this, I've been sharing this film with many of my friends, who share the same opinion as me -- they laughed for the entire 16 minutes.

I really hope to see more from the writer, director and producer.

Thanks, Lindsay

The Plight of Clownana ... Watch and enjoy!

[check123 · 10/10 · 24 May 2007]

What does a clown dressed up like a banana, 2 nuts, a screwdriver and 4 thugs have in common?

The Movie "The Plight of Clownana"

It's hilarious! The banana costume gets passed on and on until it finds its rightful owner. He is Clownana. He loves his job as a employee for a job that no one else probably wouldn't want. He has some type of routine and enjoys making people happy because he loves his job that much.

Then it happened. One day something opened across the street from his place of business. There it was the competition. It wasn't for his job either. The Clownana knew his was losing his customers to the competition. He needed to find a way to bring back his customers. The Clownana decided to change his daily routine and make it better. It took a lot of work, but he did it. Unfortunately the better the Clownana got so did the competition.

So sit back and enjoy this hilarious movie, but make sure you use the bathroom first. I wouldn't want you to have an accident like I did. I never cared for clowns, but this one you will simply fall in love with.

Could you please send this video to your friends and let them enjoy it too. Please give it the ranking it deserves. The highest.

Thank you for your time for reading this review. I appreciate it.

Brotherhood of the Banana

[tiger_rae27 · 10/10 · 28 September 2007]

No idea what to expect and was pleasantly, hilariously surprised. What starts out as a simple narration on a personal lifestyle choice evolves into an example of the eternal struggle between yellow, squishy goodness and the apparent evil of a cocky adversary! Then the road takes an inspirational twist when our two brave combatants must put aside their differences and unite against the true enemy, the ignorance of handsome Hollywood hooligans! My fear of clowns may not be erased, but never again will I fear a giant banana clown hybrid or a massive furry penis with killer dance moves! Embrace the differences! Love your fellow (giant novelty) man. Oh yeah, loved the music too!! Kudos to everyone involved! Gotta split now, take care luv Raelynne x