gracermcnally 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.

Steve Beai An impromptu change in their vacation schedule leads filmmaker Jeremy Workman and his then fiancé, Astrid von Ussar to a meeting with Al Carbee. A widower residing in a small town in Maine, Carbee is also a resident of his own universe, driven to endlessly create a personal landscape populated with a myriad of Barbies in countless scenes and situations which he then photographs and catalogs. His home is akin to a DIY fun-house, complete with man-made underground caverns and upper rooms where he toils in virtual solitude and anonymity.I must admit to lukewarm expectations prior to screening this documentary; too often studies of this sort are either one- dimensional or tend to present eccentric creators in a rather tongue-in-cheek, vaguely insulting way. Instead, how surprised - and delighted - I was to see Al's universe through the eyes of Jeremy Workman, how privileged I was to experience their resulting friendship and subsequent journey as their lives intersected in a way that so often happens -- quite by accident. How satisfying and uplifting and yes, heartbreaking, to see two lives forever changed and enriched thanks to a moment in time that came so close to never happening. I was brought to tears, filled with both sadness and hope and finally, gratitude to have watched what Jeremy Workman and Al Carbee gave to each other and, in a very real sense, to a wider audience like myself. MAGICAL UNIVERSE is not merely a chronicle of a widowed recluse who photographs Barbie dioramas. It is a celebration of humanity, a love letter to friendship, a reminder that, while the world may be a vast and mysterious place, we are just a single detour away, always within reach of our own magical universe.

moonspinner55 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 ****

laurajpbinks Wow!!!! Just watched Magical Universe - what an incredible adventure!I watched it with my friend Margaret. We were so moved by Al's story, artwork and creations. As one of his 'public' proclaims 'Al is a true eccentric', going about his life and artwork regardless of what anybody (especially his wife!) thinks. And yet he does have this yearning and searching for understanding and acceptance. He's proud of his work, happy to share his thoughts, but often asking if his ideas are reasonable. It was so uplifting and life affirming to see Al unburdened when his life's work, obsession and dream world was taken outside his home. Jeremy and Astrid's friendship with Al is equally moving. It was so lovely to see this young couple somewhat adopt this kooky creative grandfather figure. What an amazing sequence of events to have happen and have been recorded. Thank you for making the longer version of the documentary Jeremy, you've touched and inspired us, Laura and Margaret