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.
