David Bianculli

When Paul Rubens speaks directly to the camera in Pee Wee as himself, framed tightly by the lens and looking frail but still feisty, it's as though he's delivering his last will and testament. And he says as much.

When Paul Rubens speaks directly to the camera in Pee Wee as himself, framed tightly by the lens and looking frail but still feisty, it's as though he's delivering his last will and testament. And he says as much.

When Paul Rubens speaks directly to the camera in Pee Wee as himself, framed tightly by the lens and looking frail but still feisty, it's as though he's delivering his last will and testament. And he says as much.

So what is his message in this new documentary? On one level, Rubin sets out to explain his artistic process and the inspirations and motivations behind the character of Pee Wee Herman. On another level, he explores what he gained and lost by refusing to be seen or interviewed as himself for the whole time Pee Wee was starring in movies or television.

So what is his message in this new documentary? On one level, Rubin sets out to explain his artistic process and the inspirations and motivations behind the character of Pee Wee Herman. On another level, he explores what he gained and lost by refusing to be seen or interviewed as himself for the whole time Pee Wee was starring in movies or television.

So what is his message in this new documentary? On one level, Rubin sets out to explain his artistic process and the inspirations and motivations behind the character of Pee Wee Herman. On another level, he explores what he gained and lost by refusing to be seen or interviewed as himself for the whole time Pee Wee was starring in movies or television.

And most delicately and intriguingly, Paul Rubens provides his point of view about things that rarely were discussed by him during his lifetime, from his private life and sexuality to his infamous arrest on charges of public indecency. In covering all this ground, Rubens opens up his pack rat archive of personal photos and home movies.

And most delicately and intriguingly, Paul Rubens provides his point of view about things that rarely were discussed by him during his lifetime, from his private life and sexuality to his infamous arrest on charges of public indecency. In covering all this ground, Rubens opens up his pack rat archive of personal photos and home movies.

And most delicately and intriguingly, Paul Rubens provides his point of view about things that rarely were discussed by him during his lifetime, from his private life and sexuality to his infamous arrest on charges of public indecency. In covering all this ground, Rubens opens up his pack rat archive of personal photos and home movies.

Director Matt Wolfe interviews other people as well, such as Lorraine Newman, who worked with Rubens in the L.A. improv group The Groundlings, and directors Tim Burton and Judd Apatow, and several actors who appeared in the long-running CBS children's series Pee-Wee's Playhouse, including Lawrence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, and Esa-Petha Merkerson.

Director Matt Wolfe interviews other people as well, such as Lorraine Newman, who worked with Rubens in the L.A. improv group The Groundlings, and directors Tim Burton and Judd Apatow, and several actors who appeared in the long-running CBS children's series Pee-Wee's Playhouse, including Lawrence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, and Esa-Petha Merkerson.

Director Matt Wolfe interviews other people as well, such as Lorraine Newman, who worked with Rubens in the L.A. improv group The Groundlings, and directors Tim Burton and Judd Apatow, and several actors who appeared in the long-running CBS children's series Pee-Wee's Playhouse, including Lawrence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, and Esa-Petha Merkerson.

By the time Rubens took his Pee Wee character to Saturday morning TV in 1986, he says he knew exactly what he wanted to do. And Merkerson says she appreciated it.

By the time Rubens took his Pee Wee character to Saturday morning TV in 1986, he says he knew exactly what he wanted to do. And Merkerson says she appreciated it.

By the time Rubens took his Pee Wee character to Saturday morning TV in 1986, he says he knew exactly what he wanted to do. And Merkerson says she appreciated it.

The Road to Pee-Wee's Playhouse, an utterly brilliant TV show, is relayed by Pee-Wee's alter ego in bursts of quick but clear developmental insights. The shows he watched as a kid.

The Road to Pee-Wee's Playhouse, an utterly brilliant TV show, is relayed by Pee-Wee's alter ego in bursts of quick but clear developmental insights. The shows he watched as a kid.

The Road to Pee-Wee's Playhouse, an utterly brilliant TV show, is relayed by Pee-Wee's alter ego in bursts of quick but clear developmental insights. The shows he watched as a kid.

And, noting the meteoric rise of Pee Wee, from an improv bit at the Groundlings to the star of his own stage show, movie, and TV series, his view of the effects of stardom on his own carefully cultivated privacy...

And, noting the meteoric rise of Pee Wee, from an improv bit at the Groundlings to the star of his own stage show, movie, and TV series, his view of the effects of stardom on his own carefully cultivated privacy...