Ringmaster (1998)Director:� Neil Abramson
Cast:� John Capodice, Michael Dudikoff, Molly Hagan, Jaime Pressly,
Wendy Raquel Robinson, Jerry Springer, Michael Jai White
Screenplay:� John Bernstein
Producers:� Gary W. Goldstein, Steven Stabler
Runtime:� 90 min.
US Distribution:� Artisan
Rated R:� sexual content, language
Copyright 1998 Nathaniel R. Atcheson
I've watched The Jerry Springer Show on only a few occasions, and each
time I lasted for about ten minutes before I was forced to change the
channel. I find the show sickening and depressing. I wonder what kind
of people would display themselves in such a degrading fashion just for
a chance to be on television. I went to see Ringmaster because I
thought that it might answer my questions; I hoped that, just maybe, it
would give a little insight into the individuals willing to make fools
of themselves on a national program.
Ringmaster did not answer my questions. The only insight I got was
into Jerry Springer, who seems like a nice guy at first, until it
becomes clear that the film is just a big whack at self-promotion. The
picture doesn't seem like entertainment so much as a message in the form
of a film: Springer, in the climax, adds a personal observation, in
which he states that the poor have just as much of a right to make fools
of themselves as the rich. I have some arguments with this, but I'll
get to those later -- let's talk about the film first.
It revolves around two groups of people destined to appear on the Jerry
show. The first group features a young woman named Connie (Molly
Hagan), whose 19 year-old daughter Angel (Jaime Pressly) and husband,
Rusty (Michael Dudikoff), are having sex (their segment is entitled,
"You Did What With Your Stepdaddy?"). To get back at her daughter,
Connie performs fellatio on Angel's fianc�e, Willie (Ashley Holbrook).
This is when Connie calls the Jerry show to see about appearing.
The second group features Demond (Michael Jai White), who cheats on his
annoying girlfriend, Starletta (Wendy Raquel Robinson). Of course, he
doesn't just pick anyone to cheat with: he gets it on with Starletta's
best friends. So, Starletta calls the Jerry show and they fly to LA.
While they're there, Demond hooks up with Angel and Connie, and a big,
silly mess accumulates, ending in a violent and disgusting episode of
the Jerry show.
The one thing I really have to give credit for is the acting. I
haven't seen most of these actors in other films, but they are all very
believable here. Hagan and Pressly, in particular, both perfectly
embrace the image we now label as "trailer trash." White is also pretty
good (much better than he was in Spawn), as is Robinson, even if she is
really annoying. The interesting thing about all of these characters is
how they kind of grow on you by the end; even though they seem hateful
at first, you can't help but empathize with them a little.
But that doesn't change the purpose of the film, which is to 1) inflate
Jerry Springer's ego, and 2) promote his television show. In his
"personal observation" that I mentioned before, Springer actually
expects us to believe that he's exploiting these people because it's the
morally right thing to do. Forget the fact that he makes gobs of money,
and that the people who appear on these shows are mostly just interested
in the chance to fly to LA and star in their own fifteen minutes of a
television show. No, Jerry apparently thinks that his show is a good
thing.
Well, I think that it is not. I'm trying to think of an instance in
which rich people commonly make fools of themselves; he might be
referring the Oscars, or other talk shows that feature celebrities
talking about their drug addictions and other problems. The difference
is that these celebrities are aware of what they're doing -- it's a
performance for them. The people on The Jerry Springer Show don't
realize what they're doing (according to this film), and Springer merely
exploits them for money. "This is a slice of American life," he shouts
at a disgruntled audience member, "and if you don't like it, then bite
something else!"
If this is what most Americans' life is like, then I'm truly
embarrassed. I'm not embarrassed because there are poor people, but
because, for some reason, being poor is associated with having no pride
or self-worth. I wonder how the audiences overseas will feel if
Ringmaster gets distribution there -- will it change their opinions of
Americans? Ringmaster might have been an interesting film had it been
honest about its subject matter: alas, it is not honest, and the result
is a picture that will disgust and depress you. Jerry Springer should
be ashamed of himself.
Psychosis Rating:� 2/10
Have I seen this movie: Yes
And what did I think: This is one of the most dumbest movies that I've ever seen. I'm still trying to figure out if there was actually a plot here somewhere. This ranks among such classics as "Showgirls". Jerry Springer stars in his first movie.... well I don't know about stars, because he wasn't on screen as much as he should be. However, I think that's a good thing because Springer can not act.... nor can anyone else in this movie. The story is simple and rather dumb. A bunch of trailer trash people want to be on Jerry's show. That's basicly it. Everyone's sleeping with each other, including at the hotel they are staying at before the show.This movie is filled with sex and the fighting you often see on the Jerry Springer show. I guess that's the only people who will like this movie, die hard fans of the show. For all the other normal people, avoid this bomb at all costs. I'm just glad I didn't pay the rental fee, just wasted an hour and a half watching it on cable.
I give Ringmaster 1/2 a star out of 5.
Review written November 19, 1999
