Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak's remarkable body of work is a testament to the profound impact he had on generations of children and the adults who were once those innocent, wide-eyed young readers. The 2009 documentary "Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak" offers a tender and thought-provoking exploration of the creator of beloved classics such as "Where the Wild Things Are" and "In the Night Kitchen." Director Larry Owens masterfully weaves a deeply moving tribute to the inimitable Sendak, inviting audiences to spend time with the brilliant author-illustrator who captured the imagination of readers worldwide. The film opens with Sendak as the master of his own domain, a Brooklyn townhouse overflowing with eclectic treasures that reflect his boundless curiosity and creativity. A fixture in the children's literature world, Sendak remains endearingly guarded, revealing himself incrementally as he invites the camera into his world. Director Larry Owens skillfully employs the documentary format to create an intimate portrait, one that celebrates Sendak's unique perspective while also grappling with the often-bruising criticisms he faced throughout his career. As the documentary delves deeper into Sendak's life and work, we gain a profound appreciation for the artistic vision that drove his creative process. Owens takes us on a journey through Sendak's childhood, where the seed for later masterpieces was sown in the rich soil of his family's experiences and traditions. We see how Sendak, a Jewish immigrant, was deeply influenced by his Eastern European heritage and the cultural values that emphasized the importance of community and storytelling. From his early childhood fantasies to the realization of his dreams as a successful artist, the film masterfully chronicles Sendak's relentless drive to bring his imagination to life. Throughout the documentary, it becomes clear that Sendak's work was always guided by an unflinching determination to speak truth to his readers, even when that truth was uncomfortable or unconventional. As the story unfolds, we witness the tumultuous reception of his seminal works, including "Little Bear" and "Where the Wild Things Are." Sendak's passion for storytelling, coupled with his courage to tackle complex themes, earned him both fervent praise and fierce condemnation. While some readers found solace in his tales of friendship and acceptance, others were scandalized by Sendak's unflinching portrayal of the darker aspects of childhood. One of the most compelling aspects of "Tell Them Anything You Want" is its nuanced exploration of Sendak's often-problematic relationships with his collaborators and loved ones. The film candidly examines Sendak's long-standing partnership with Harper & Row, which brought him immense commercial success, but also led to creative conflicts that would come to define his personal and professional life. Sendak's tempestuous relationships with his editors and publishers serve as a poignant reminder of the delicate dance between artistic vision and commercial reality. The film also celebrates Sendak's remarkable partnership with writer/illustrator Arthur Yorinks, with whom he crafted several classics, including "Chicken Soup with Rice." This creative synergy showcases Sendak's remarkable ability to balance the demands of storytelling with the demands of collaboration. As we witness Sendak's close relationships with fellow artists, family members, and even the occasional critic, we begin to grasp the extraordinary range of his talents and his profound capacity for empathy. Ultimately, "Tell Them Anything You Want" presents Sendak as a multifaceted figure – at once the brilliant creative mind behind some of the most iconic children's books, as well as a vulnerable and complex human being. Through his work, Sendak revealed hidden truths about the child's inner world: the terror of the unknown, the comfort of friendship, and the ever-present fear of being left behind. The film masterfully weaves these disparate strands into a rich tapestry that captures the essence of Sendak's remarkable life and legacy. As the credits roll, the final shot reveals a diminutive figure perched in his favorite armchair, surrounded by the remnants of a life spent chasing imagination and capturing the dreams of others. Maurice Sendak, the enigmatic maestro of children's literature, gazes out at us with an inexpressive expression – an unspoken message from a man who spoke to generations through his beautiful words and unforgettable images. In this film, Sendak's quiet presence becomes the ultimate tribute to his artistry and his unwavering dedication to sharing his own imaginative vision with the world.