This is a dramatic masterpiece with beautiful photography, innocent and slight humor, huge symbolism in between the details and a great plot.The ambiance: Brazil's rural areas in the late '80s(?) show a decadence which is perfect for the simplicity which is willing to be transmitted. A search for the essential, for the true vocation, down to the most innocent and oniric will of a human being.Please, don't be shallow to call it "boring", it's not. It's not boring to value the most simple, slight and innocent feelings in instead of big mourning drama or breathtaking hilariousness. You just have to let out your concerns and allow yourself to be involved by the plot like a child. And then, you'll be surprised by having a huge contemplative smile while a small teardrop falls at the corner of your eyes.

In the countryside of Brazil, the itinerant circus owned by Valdemar (Paulo José), aka the clown Puro Sangue, travels from village to village to bring happiness to the dwellers. Valdemar's son Benjamin (Selton Mello), aka the clown Pangaré, does not have any document but his birth certificate and dreams on having a fan of his own. Benjamin decides to leave the circus in search for his identity, to settle down in a small town with a steady job and raise a family of his own. However, he returns to the life in the circus with his dreamed fan."O Palhaço" is a deceptive, boring, dull and tedious film by Selton Mello. A couple of months ago, I saw the trailer on television and I expected a great film. Fortunately I have not gone to the movie theater and I feel sorry for those that have gone. Today I have just seen "O Palhaço" on DVD and I really did not like it. It is impressive the number of fake reviews in IMDb promoting this flick. My vote is four.Title (Brazil): "O Palhaço" ("The Clown")

In his second work as director, Selton Mello was able to abstract from simplicity and ingenuous humor an exceptional and complete piece. A very short film, without clichés or redundancies, that touches us as well as makes us laugh at simple scenes. Remarks on the Brazilian dramaturgy pearls recovered in unique scenes. We got to understand the clown's agony without getting blue, and we follow his search for a reason. Exceptionally, the first hour with all its monotony flies and we do not realize. As the last half hour conclusion (with a "golden key", as one would say) widens so we can enjoy every second. Simplicity, ingenuity, genius that make reach the completeness of the show.

It's a short movie, but it's wonderful. There's nothing new in it, but it makes us to remember how simple life used to be. We can see in this movie the purity of Carlitos in the main character, and how circus was important in people lives before television. It brings back some old actors who haven't seen for long as Ferrugem, Jose Loureiro, Paulo José and Moacir Franco. It's a movie that you can see with all family, there are no obscenities. It's a comedy, but you almost cry in some parts with the beauty of the plot. I must say this is the best Brazilian movie of the year and Selton Melo is becoming not only a good actor, but also a good director.