Magical Universe

Magical Universe brings the eccentric work of a strange and long-reclusive photographer to light: oddball octogenarian artist Al Carbee (1914-2005), a longtime New England graphic artist who mysteriously decided to center his life's work around Barbie doll art. Carbee dresses the dolls up, places them in themed diorama-like backdrops, and then photographs the figures, treating them almost as if they were living beings. After a chance meeting with Carbee, filmmaker Jeremy Workman learned of the former's curious artistic predilections and initially made a short film. But then Workman keeps up correspondence with the elderly reclusive artist, which eventually leads to a full-blown friendship. What's more, Workman's short film results in the first public showing of Carbee's artwork. The developing relationship between filmmaker and subject also has a problematic aspect, however, as Workman seems increasingly unwilling to probe into Carbee's past for some sort of psychological insight into why his chosen art form is so strange (and to some, creepy). Still, Carbee has a genial, camera-friendly presence—regardless of his otherworldly personality—and that's enough to carry the film. Recommended. (M. Sandlin)