Film Overview

The Bigtop tells the story of Vincent O'Malley, a naive young man from the prairie who endures a home life lived under the oppressive eyes of his father - a father who bristles at the idea of a son with his head stuck firmly in the clouds.

The arrival of a circus troupe in Vincent's home town
sets Vincent's story in motion, as Vincent runs away with the performers and becomes indoctrinated into the groups routines of advertisement and performance.

Vincent assumes the role of a clown and juggler in the group, but quickly realizes that his new family is in need of much more than additional performers; they need a larger audience and the muscle and daring to acquire such viewers. Vincent leads his newfound friends in increasingly daring exploits to gather larger and larger crowds to the circus tent, including vandalism, intimidation and industrial espionage.

Flying high on their newfound success, the group seems destined for greatness. The arrival of a beautiful young girl, however, sets Vincent on edge as he begins to suspect that those around him are thwarting the acquisition of his true love.

As jealousy and a series of betrayals leads closer and closer to a precipice on the edge of loneliness and annihilation, Vincent must come to a reckoning with his true nature and with his place in the universe and amongst his friends.