(M) In The Realms Of The Unreal (2004?, Jessica Yu) Grade: C
Thoughts: In seeing the preview for this documentary on Henry Darger I was intrigued by a reclusive artist who created for the sake of creating and not for fame and fortune. Upon his death all of his artwork and writings were found in his tiny apartment room. He spent his life as a blue collar worker, mainly living a solitary life and creating his own world through painting and writing. An intriguing figure, yes. However because he was such a recluse there was very little information to be provided about who Henry Darger was. The documentary mainly consisted of animating his pictures through computers and reading exerpts from his 15,000 page book to provide a story back-drop for his paintings as well as, tying in parts of his life that paralleled the story of his book. About an hour into the film I started to wonder when would it end, but then when it ended I was like, "It's over already?" I think the later reaction came from the fact that there is such little information given about Henry. Since nobody knew Henry and his art wasn't discovered until after his death, there's really nothing you can learn from or about him. I say it's a rental film more than a theater film.