Conference bookie::movies

840.0. "Crumb" by VAXUUM::KEEFE () Mon May 22 1995 16:46

This is a documentary about Robert Crumb the most famous of the
"underground" cartoonists, creator of Zap Comix, Fritz the Cat, Mr.
Natural, the Keep on Truckin guy, etc. It was directed by Barry
Zwigoff who has know Crumb for twenty years. 

The camera follows him on a typical day wandering around Haight St in
San Francisco, sketching constantly. They visit his house in some
outskirt of SF. Crumb is sick of America so the family is in the
process of moving to southern France. Crumb has paid for a house there
with a satchel full of old sketches.

They visit his older brother Charles in Philadelphia, who still lives
with their mother. Charles is mentally ill but quite astute and funny.
He hasn't left his house for many years. They also visit brother Maxon,
another mental wreck, who lives in a fleabag room in SF, and who
meditates on a bed of nails to try and keep his urges to molest women
under control. Both Charles and Maxon draw quite well, or used to.

Robert Hughes the Australian art critic compares Crumb to Brueghel the
Flemish painter. They interview ex- and current wives, old girlfriends,
a woman who used to edit Mother Jones, and a woman cartoonist. They
describe in detail his sexual peculiarities and the sheer hatefulness,
particularly towards women, of much of his work. 
 
Crumb doesn't bother to defend himself. In fact admits most of it is
true, just doesn't much care. He just puts the stuff out there, he
says, without thinking about analyzing what he has done until much
later, if at all.

I thought it was fascinating, the best movie I've seen in ages.
In the Boston area, it's playing at the Coolidge Corner in Brookline.

Crumb was produced by David Lynch and is dedicated to Charles Crumb.
  
Neil

    
    I remember those comic books of his, and saw the preview also
    at the Coolidge C. in Brookline, (that theater has some good films)
    
    
    
    Bob

    If you haven't already - GO SEE THIS FILM!  I could have watched two
    more hours of it.  Is it that good.  The Crumb's are fascinating,
    frightening and fantastic people (the daughters declined any
    participation in the film) and if nothing else you will come away
    feeling like your life is much more normal and functional then you ever
    imagined.
    
    Rated R
    
    10 out of 5 stars (I mean that!!)