Critic Reviews

• Tom Long, Detroit News

  "Beauty Is Embarrassing" is an undeniably likable film, mainly because White is a likable guy who believes comedy is at least as important as tragedy.

• Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

  Neil Berkeley's infectiously affectionate portrait of artist, puppeteer and genially profane provocateur Wayne White.

• Ty Burr, Boston Globe

  An amiable if not especially urgent celebration of the life and work of Wayne White.

• Linda Holmes, NPR

  It remains a story at all times - there's a moment at a book signing that will give you a big smile and goosebumps - and it keeps throwing great things to look at up on the screen.

• Adam Nayman, Globe and Mail

  His art is a force that can't be contained: No wonder he felt so at home in the warped environs of Pee-wee's Playhouse.

• Linda Barnard, Toronto Star

  The doc meanders occasionally, but we're grateful when it comes back to White and his creations.

• Sarah Boslaugh, PopMatters

  Judging from this documentary, his character is as exuberant as his work, and he seems to be one of those lucky people who simply can't stop creating...

• Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

  If for no other reason, the film should at least be seen for its visuals -- or, rather, for White's visuals.

• James Verniere, Boston Herald

  Using animation, CGI and stop-motion, and mixing analog and digital video, director Berkeley transforms 'Beauty Is Embarrassing' into a White-inspired but Berkeley made work of pop-folk art

• Ann Lewinson, Boston Phoenix

  It's ... indulgent, not admitting that White's new gimmick wears out its welcome, and never making the case that White deserves his own documentary.

• Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

  This isn't necessarily a life-altering work, but there's no denying that the fun White gets out of his work is pretty irresistible.

• Leonard Maltin, Leonard Maltin's Picks

  Beauty is Embarrassing is a funny, enormously entertaining film, built around an autobiographical show White performs for a theater audience.

• Kimberley Jones, Austin Chronicle

  These moments elevate Beauty Is Embarrassing beyond mere tribute to an undersung artist into a far rarer thing: a glimpse into the galvanizing effect art -- good art, bad art, fine art, folk art, or 5th-grader art -- can have.

• Mike Scott, Times-Picayune

  An embraceable tale of childhood mischief, teenage rebellion, award-winning creativity and enduring imagination.

Read all 14 critic reviews