Kenny Scharf: When Worlds Collide

Made with spirit and affection, the film frames Scharf's prodigious output and energy... as a triumph of having nourished an artistic soul rather than carefully modulating an artistic career.

Makes a considered and not entirely uncritical case for Scharf's relevance.

Though the co-directors depict a considerably longer life and career, their documentary ends up feeling shallow and surface-level by comparison. A strong optional selection.

This colorful documentary portrait of an artist is ultimately a touching portrait of a father - and a story of growing up.

Scharf kept working and following his own path. He's still at it and still committed to the notion that to be meaningful art needn't be stripped of either playfulness or (heaven forbid) fun.

One hopes this documentary, directed by his daughter Maria with Max Basch, will trigger renewed appreciation for the complexity and remarkable technique that people failed to appreciate in his imagery the first time around.

Entirely too stodgy to "get at" the essence of the artist or mimic his psyche and aesthetic. Still, it's great to see Scharf still at it, fun to take in the works and fascinating to get a new take on Manhattan art scene history

... tries to oversell Scharf's influence and legacy without providing much meaningful insight into the artistic process to back it up. Positioning him as misunderstood isn't enough.

A compelling and informative introduction to the life and work of Kenny Scharf. His perseverance, passion for art as well as for his inner child are very palpable.

This uniquely intimate perspective should elevate the material, but instead ends up limiting it, casting Scharf in a way that engenders soft feelings of fondness, and little more.