The Amusement Park
Director: George A. Romero
Actors: Lincoln Maazel, Harry Albacker, Phyllis Casterwiler
PlotAn elderly man, unassuming and humble, strolls into a lively amusement park ready to enjoy a day of excitement and fun. Upon entering, he is met with a series of increasingly bizarre and distressing experiences that seem to target him specifically. The park, which should be a place of joy, turns out to be a nightmarish environment that mirrors the harsh societal realities faced by older individuals. From rides that become perilous to confrontations with indifferent or cruel park-goers and officials, the elderly man finds himself being marginalized and isolated. The vibrant and colorful scenes contrast sharply with the grim trials he endures, as he becomes increasingly aware of his physical and social vulnerabilities in this distorted microcosm of society.
As the day wears on, he encounters various symbolic characters and situations that highlight how oppressive societal attitudes are carried out in casual yet brutally dehumanizing antics. Financial exploitation, neglect, and social dismissal are woven into each interaction, testing the elderly man's stamina and spirit. Each ride and attraction brings forth new challenges, pushing him towards revelation, introspection, and despair. The overwhelming atmosphere begins to close in around him as he grapples with feelings of confusion and alienation. The once enticing amusement park unravels into a chilling allegory of the struggles faced by the aged within a society that prioritizes youth and dismisses the elderly as irrelevant.
Writers: Walton Cook
Release Date: 08 Jun 2021
Runtime: 53 min
Rating: N/A
Country: United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
The Amusement Park offers a surreal, emotionally charged cautionary tale with remarkable restoration efforts and valuable extras, a must-have for Romero fans.
Read our review of The Amusement Park Blu-ray to find out more