Magical Universe

Wistfully sad (and sadly insufficient) documentary from amateur filmmaker Jeremy Workman regarding the eccentric art and reclusive life of Maine resident, veteran and widower Al Carbee. Workman's 'movie' is really just a project, one with little visual flair, no filmmaking vitality and, surprisingly, not even a sentimental overture at the finale. Expanding a four-minute short he had previously done on Carbee in 2001--photographing Carbee's photos, collages and Barbie doll dioramas--Workman doesn't even ask his subject any probing questions (with the exception of "Are you lonely?", which seems redundant). Carbee's rambling old farmhouse (in foreclosure) is revealed to harbor decades of pictures and diaries and personal artwork, mostly semi-provocative collages he's taken of his treasured Barbies. Carbee's late wife was embarrassed by her husband "playing with dolls," yet he always told her he was working with them as an artist works with his models (and we're to assume this did little to nullify her objections). The best section of the film, when the curious come with trepidation to see Carbee's showing at a local museum--and leave with smiles on their faces--is wonderful, but there's no follow up to Carbee's triumph on Workman's part; everything is allowed to be frittered away. So, where's the magic? ** from ****

What an interesting journey this documentary takes you on! I grew up collecting and playing with Barbies, but the star of the film, Al Carbee, takes it to a whole other level, and it's truly fascinating. Throughout the many rooms of his house, Carbee crafts complicated vignettes with Barbies and photographs them. The fact that the world would never know about Carbee's work if filmmaker Jeremy Workman hadn't happened upon him accidentally and realized the incredible story and friendship he stumbled upon, is incredible. Carbee had literally been quietly working alone for years and years, tucked away in his house. In Workman's hands, Carbee's "magical universe" truly comes alive, and it inspires the viewer to create something great too.

I love this film. It speaks to anyone who loves art, who has created art, or is just plain weird themselves. Al Carbee is one of the most unique characters i've seen in cinema in a long time. He proves the old maxim "You Just can't make it up." The movie is uplifting in its message (who cares what others say follow your passion) but also tragic in the way that "The Man' will aways crush, or bury, passion in one way or another. I never thought i'd be so interested in a movie about Barbie dolls. After all that's what we are talking about here. An octogenarian and his passion for photography Barbie on moonscapes, in the ocean and anywhere between.

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This unique documentary, directed by Jeremy Workman, focuses on the very strange world of 88-year-old Al Carbee, residing in Saco, Maine, who has spent most of his life creating photos, diaramas, and artwork of Barbie dolls. The film can be quite creepy, bizarre, even a little erotic (as weird as that sounds), yet can also be fascinating at the same time.

While on vacation in Maine with his girlfriend Astrid, the filmmaker Workman got a tip from a local newspaper photographer to check out Carbee at his home, where the odd and reclusive senior might be a good subject for a future documentary. Carbee allowed Workman to view some of his meticulous creations involving Barbies, that he had been working on, in private, for over 45 years.

Workman did create a short film (less than 4 minutes long) from the visit, but in time, as a friendship developed between the two men, he was able to expand it to this movie. In the last third of the film, they'll be some real twists and surprises for the viewer, which, overall, all add up to a remarkable experience.

I saw how some reviewers felt that this movie exploited Carbee, and I did get some sense of that while watching it and even afterwards. However, in my opinion, it didn't cross that line especially with Carbee so enthusiastic about his works and how they might be shown.

I enjoyed this film so much; my attention never wavered. Delving into Al Carbee's world is like escaping into a storybook that feels like childhood but is very much grown-up. The film evoked compassion in me for this gentle, happy, strange old man with a vivid imagination and lovely spirit. Every time I watched him on the screen, I couldn't help but feel tender towards him. I wanted to hug him! The film shows how his art is so much more than "photos of Barbies" and the essence of his work is captured beautifully. I found myself coveting some of his photos. Jeremy Workman has created a splendid narrative about an obscure artist and his wonderful little world. What a touching tribute to Al Carbee.