With a Smile

About This Movie

With a Smile is a curious piece of animated storytelling from 1983. It dives into the life of an aging circus clown who’s plagued by a rather unique affliction—his clown makeup can't be washed away. The animation has this charming, slightly offbeat quality, with a palette that feels both whimsical and a bit melancholic. The pacing is deliberately slow, which allows for the themes of identity and the burdens of performance to sink in. The practical effects are interesting for the time, lending a tactile feel to the clown's exaggerated expressions. It’s distinct in how it navigates a blend of humor and sadness, making you think about the masks we all wear in life.

Animation from the early 80sExplores themes of identityDistinctive use of practical effects