Review: In The Realms of the Unreal (A-)

In The Realms of the Unreal (2004)
Directed by Jessica Yu
Narrated by Dakota Fanning
MPAA: UR
Grade: A-

Review by Sebastian Francis Kennedy

In The Realms of the Unreal is a strangely mesmerizing tale of loneliness, creative vision and the artistic power that a single soul contains. Henry Darger was a janitor in Chicago and he was for the most part, a lonely, lonely soul. He rarely spoke to people and lived alone. Upon his death, a wealth of art was discovered in his apartment. Darger spent his hours creating incredible art and yet he kept this art private, hidden from the world.

This incredible documentary chronicles the the life of a lonely man that escapes into his own world. He creates beautiful novels and incredibly detailed paintings that are so wildly creative, they defy description. His mind lives in a world where young children fight off evil warlords that want to enslave them. Strange? Yes. But this documentary is deftly handled, and the film (comprised almost entirely of Henry Darger's art and Dakota Fanning's narration) is one of the most original I have encountered.

In The Realms of the Unreal is wonderful. It is one of the best documentaries to come along in some time. Unique, bold and highly original, In the Realms of the Unreal is a winner.