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 ****

Magical Universe is an inspiring documentary and a must see for any person who considers themselves creative. Al's mantra that "a creative person has to create" rings true for anyone who's ever faced difficulty in pursuing their passion. Despite difficulties throughout his life, Al doesn't think twice about spending all of his money on supplies and dedicating his entire life to his artwork. I was so inspired by his lifelong dedication to pursue something widely considered bizarre (Barbie doll photography) and throw aside all judgment. It's truly incredible to witness one person's passion that has been contained for years released into the world and embraced by it.

You can't help but fall in love with Al Carbee and his way of approaching the world. We could all benefit from looking at life a little bit more like Al - that no matter what life throws at you, a creative person has to keep creating..

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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The compulsion to create was innate in Al Carbee and so his art, if odd, also feels necessary and natural. Even though each piece was painstakingly contrived and crafted by him, his body of work feels inevitable.

This film feels similarly motivated and is therefore one of the more moving documentaries I have seen.

I apply that title to both Al Carbee's work as well as this film.

Like most I was wondering where it was headed after the first 15-20 mins but when I got a look into Al's world I was amazed.

Al's work, for me, is akin to listening to a lecture from someone like Terance McKenna or Timothy Leary.

Al's dreams and the way he translates them into visual works is extraordinary and Mr. Workman has done the same thing with his work introducing us to Al Carbee.

With any luck this film will serve as an introduction to the artist known as Al Carbee.