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| Wayne White in Beauty is Embarrassing. |
By Miranda Inganni
Neil Berkeley’s feature length documentary, Beauty is Embarrassing, can’t go wrong
with its subject matter. It chronicles the artistic and chronological evolution
of Wayne White.
Known for his work on Pee-wee’s
Playhouse and music videos such as Peter Gabriel’s “Big Time” and Smashing Pumpkins “Tonight, Tonight” the Emmy-award
winning White has spent much of his existence creating and producing art in one
form or another -- whether it be puppets, set design, paintings, sculptures or
other medium. White’s mission is to bring “humor into Fine Art.” And he does so
with aplomb. There is nothing but joy and love in this movie.
While White can be a little too self-conscious in the film, his irreverent, “fuck it”
(repeatedly) attitude and creative acumen shine. With Berkeley’s footage of
White’s live performances/presentations -- theatrical productions which really are
the culmination of standup comedy, lecture, slide show and banjo concert --
White’s own home movies, interviews with friends and family,
documentation of White’s life and animation (some of which is done by White’s equally
creative wife of 27 years, Mimi), Beauty
is Embarrassing animates the life and art of this prolific creator.
White is an absurdist. He is a ham. He is a loyal, loving
and encouraging husband, father, son and friend. He is a dreamboat. He swears
like a sailor and paints like there’s no tomorrow. And Berkeley’s documentary
catches it.
Beauty is Embarrassing screens at the Los Angeles Film Festival: June 21, 7:30 p.m., Leo S. Bing Theater at LACMA.
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