In Pee-wee as Himself, actor Paul Reubens tells all about his notoriously private life. He sets the record straight about his sexuality. He addresses the scandals that broke out during the peak of his fame. But most importantly and interestingly, he talks about his creative process and how he created the iconic character, Pee-wee Herman. Here, too, Rubens talks about how the character consumed him to the point where he didn’t know where he started and Pee-wee ended. His insights are illuminating for any aspiring artist and actor. But the film, directed by Matt Wolf (Teenage), is also a masterclass in documentary-making. Wolf melds archival footage and photograps with Ruebens’ dreamy absurdist aesthetic, all while going head-to-head with Ruebens on the interview. Both want to control the narrative, and while their exchanges are initially playful, they turn increasingly tense and culminate in a surprising and moving ending.
"Wolf brings in some heavy hitters to talk about working with Reubens, but the vast majority of this lengthy project consists of Reubens telling his own story, which is an invaluable key to its success."
— Brian Tallerico
"Reubens is a compelling enough figure to carry a straightforward bio-doc, and over its substantial length, Wolf’s two-part film does justice to its subject’s thoroughly sui generis artistry."
— Guy Lodge
A kaleidoscopic portrait told in two parts tracing the life of the imaginative artist.
In a rare interview, actor Paul Ruebens offers a tell-all of his life.
If there’s anything I’ve learned from watching so many of these documentaries by now, it’s that being famous in the 2000s is truly a unique hell.
Watch for Pee-wee, stay for the prickly, charming, and illuminating man behind the mask.
Sundance
1 nomination
