The most accurate thing he may have said about himself was in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure: "I'm a loner Dottie. A rebel"

A whirlwind of wordplay, satire, and surrealism. Comedy that doesn’t blink. No subplot is safe, no authority is spared, and no moment lasts long enough to outstay its welcome.

While there is a thread that connects the two halves of the film, it feels like both of these could have stood on their own as shorts.

It’s in that second half, part sentimental journey, part comedic procedural, that is the gem. For all their blundering, genuinely care for the little girl. Their protectiveness, even amidst their bumbling, adds a layer of warmth that elevates the comedy beyond mere slapstick.

Criterion Challenge 2025
Film #31 of 52 watched

A quiet film that speaks volumes about man's relationship with nature, the insidious creep of development, and the often unseen consequences of human intervention.