Watch Crumb

Crumb is a documentary movie released in 1994 that delves into the life of Robert Crumb, one of the most influential comic book artists of the twentieth century. Directed by Terry Zwigoff, who also happens to be a childhood friend of Robert Crumb, the movie explores the life and art of Crumb, from his early childhood in Philadelphia to his move to San Francisco during the sixties countercultural movement. Robert Crumb is known for his unconventional and often disturbing work, which includes comics such as Fritz the Cat and Mr. Natural. In Crumb, we get an intimate look at the artist behind the work. We see his childhood drawings, his early attempts at comic book art, and his eventual rise to fame. The movie explores Crumb's personal life as well. He has a tumultuous relationship with his family, particularly his brother Charles, who tragically takes his own life shortly after the movie's completion. Throughout the movie, we meet other members of Crumb's family, including his wife, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, also a comic book artist, and his mother, who is still alive at the time of filming. We see Crumb's artwork displayed in galleries and museums, and we hear from other artists and writers who have been influenced by his work. Despite the movie being a documentary, it's not a dry, objective portrayal of Robert Crumb's life. Instead, it's a deeply personal account that explores the artist's psyche and delves into some of the darker aspects of his personality. We learn about Crumb's sexual fetishes, his drug use, and his struggles with mental illness. We see him grapple with the morality of his own art and the effect it has on his audience. Overall, Crumb is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. It's a portrait of an artist who never compromized his vision, even in the face of cultural opposition. It's a movie about the relationship between art and mental health, about the influence of personal experience on an artist's work, and about the power of art to shock and provoke. Whether you're a fan of Robert Crumb's work or not, Crumb is an essential viewing for anyone interested in the history of comics and the counterculture of the sixties and seventies.