Tiny Tim: King for a Day

As the documentary captures (and as I never quite understood back in grade school when I would see Tiny Tim on TV), he was the freak of all freaks, but only because he possessed a singular charisma.

From the Tiny Tim diary excerpts (read by "Weird Al" Yankovic) to the sometimes startling video of the former star eking out a living in his later years, "King for a Day" is never less than riveting.

The documentary makes a valiant (and not entirely successful) stab at contextualizing Tiny Tim.

There was never anything like Tiny Tim - not before or since - and, as the film makes clear, his character was anything but an act.

A very conventional and not terribly illuminating look at this man.

As far as odes to outsider artists go, however, it is informative, and made with love.

... about as substantial a portrait as you could cram into 78 minutes.

At 75 minutes, it handily keeps dull stretches at bay, but a longer run time might have resulted in a more well-rounded portrait. A strong optional selection.

At just about 80 minutes, there isn't much to this biographical documentary, but there is more than enough to honor this quirky performer's legacy and lasting impact.

At 78 minutes long, the documentary seems to concur with the best-in-small-doses appreciation of Tiny Tim's talent. But it is time well spent, regardless.