El mismísimo Pee-wee

A peek behind the bow-tie, revealing a unique, complicated, and somewhat challenging person. After decades of being exposed to the carefully curated Pee Wee persona and media sensationalized Paul Ruebens, we finally meet the real person. Fortunately, the documentary doesn't attempt to glorify/villainize or pass judgement, allowing the viewer to take away their own interpretation of the man. Magical dreamer? Calculating control freak? Lighthearted and kind? Troubled and difficult? Perhaps, a mixture of all? "Pee Wee As Himself" lays open his life and personal reflections for the viewer to decide.

Paul Reubens was one of the true creative masters of our time. He didn't need a cartoon for his vision; he translated it into real life. The characters, the energy, the Playhouse itself, were so authentic and timeless that it felt like we were being invited into a safe space that lurked just behind the curtain of our everyday world. He managed to blend the mainstream with the avant-garde in such a way as to activate the full range of viewer imaginations and backgrounds- like all the best art. I remember checking my fridge during commercial breaks to see if we had any dancing food in there like Pee-wee's. And I was only partly disappointed when I found none... because I knew it was dancing when I wasn't looking. :)

This two-part doc by Matt Wolf offers a complete anthology of Paul's journey. We learn about his family and friends in Florida, early influences, education at CalArts, development at Groundlings, emergence on Broadway, and ultimately his superstardom on film and television amid the handful of personal issues that set him back.

I connected with the storytelling style here. It veers between historical clips, interviews and narration- notably from the man himself. Paul was a natural performer all the way through to the end. He talks to the camera as if he's sharing a secret with you. He's intellectually nimble, and his improv skills evidently never eroded. He knows precisely when to leaven adult anecdotes with juvenile humor: "Dad told me, 'Paul, if you're homosexual, I want you to be the greatest homosexual you can be'... so I went out that night to be the greatest homosexual ever- no, just kidding. ;)" His winsome attitude and smiling eyes make him a compelling speaker, and he means what he says in perfect earnest.

Learned a lot as well. Like how Pee-wee had a regular spot on Letterman before he made it big; he was once a contestant on The Dating Game; at CalArts he was part of an absurdly talented 10-actor ensemble that included Katey Sagal (= Peg Bundy) and David Hasselhoff (= HOFF!); and at Groundlings he laid the foundation for the Playhouse with mainstays Phil Hartman (Captain Carl) and John Paragon (Jambi). So if you're a Pee-wee fan, it's delightful. And if you're learning about him for the first time I'd love to be in your shoes because he's a total original whose greatness will inspire you.

Was there anyone who actually believed that Paul was a pedophile? There was never any there there. Yet the label tormented him until the day he died, as revealed by some gripping footage where he addresses the miasma of innuendo that swirled around his name. I'll never understand whose agenda we serve by perpetuating falsehoods against those who mean well. All I can say is, thank you Paul for laving pure joy over the world and sharing your singular artistry with us all. Your reputation remains clean to me, and legacy of Pee-wee Herman will be cherished forever. Conky's secret word today is LEGEND.

---

"I just felt I could be the beacon out there and say it's okay to be different. It's okay to be creative. In fact not only is it okay, but let's celebrate it." - Paul Reubens.

There's an astonishing honesty about this documentary that Pee-wee admits: Few of us get to make a final statement about their lives. The filmmakers were unaware that Paul Ruebens was battling cancer for several years before they made the film. In fact, Paul padded away a few months after it was completed. Like Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, a person facing death finds honest self-revelation easier than a person still protecting their identity and public image. Through out the film, Paul Ruebens consistently reveals that he finds it difficult to separate his alter-ego Pee-wee from the person Paul. When he gets a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, he notes that it was Pee-wee whose name is on the star, not Paul's. There are many revelations about Pee-wee's creative process including how the storyline of Pee-we's Big Adventure came about. While he and writer-director Tim Burton were developing the screenplay on the Warner Brothers studio, he saw many actors riding the lot of bicycles, so he asked: How do I get a bicycle? The next day, a 1950s era Schwinn DX showed up outside his office. Pee-wee ran into the office and told Burton he knew the plot would center on Pee-wee's love for that bicycle, how it would be stolen and how his adventure would be getting to back. It's a beautiful film about a child-like actor who mixed his fantasies with life's realities.

If you watched this as a kid (or maybe even didn't), this will put a smile on your face and make your day. I'm so glad he did all of this work before he passed. It is so much better that he leads the journey, as only he and his expressions can. His PeeWee character and humor are one thing, but the real Paul Rubens is a very charismatic man and I think most people don't realize that. It would have been awesome to have experienced The Groundlings troop in LA in their heyday.

The archival footage is fantastic, the editing is great, the music choices are on point and it details the extraordinary story of a social sensation exactly as it should.

I dare you not to smile as you watch it.

Growing up in the 80s was fun, cartoon's on Saturday morning and Pee-week's playhouse what some people would say about Pee Wee would mean nothing because I know he bought joy to me as a kid. This documentary shows the real person he was and shown his passion for Pee Wee as a character. People say show your love and I truly believe Paul had his heart on his shoulder. When I heard he passed away I did cry and hearing his last word on this series broke my heart but in this series only shows his heart if you grew up in the 80s this is a must see even if you didn't grow up in the 80s 90s and love Pee Wee I would recommend watching this.