Wow, not unlike many of Escher’s works, this documentary is a modest masterpiece. Mimicking its subject, the film’s segments progress one to the next. An element from the previous segment walks into the next, dissolving the seams.

While, I too, am an enjoyer of Escher’s work, admittedly, I was concerned that a documentary (especially in his own words) might prove a bit sleepy. I was wrong. Escher’s reflections are impassioned and full of wonder. He’s the subjective observer to his own life. I paraphrase, “Oh wow! Look at the way those trees curve around the road! Oh wow! I can’t stop myself from grabbing a pencil and copying it. I’m terrible, but I can’t stop trying to get it perfect! What if I try this? What if I try that? I failed, let me try again.” This narrative is full of curiosity, energy, wonder which fades very little, if at all, with his age. Escher seems to be perpetually amazed with the world and his own reaction to it.

Stephen Fry’s voice brings Escher’s words to life with enthusiasm, just as graphic artists and animators bring Escher’s work to life with yet another perspective. This is an inspired and inspiring work.

As Escher reflects (and again, I paraphrase), “I’m not aiming for beauty, I’m aiming for wonder.”

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --