Interview

Ever since its impending arrival was announced, we have been unable to resist the deluge of news related to Where the Wild Things Are–the Karen O soundtrack, Opening Ceremony's Wild Things-themed collection and, of course, updates on the details of Spike Jonze's breathtaking direction. With its contribution to the frenzy, "Tell Them Anything," an original documentary about Wild Things writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, HBO reminds us of of where it all began. Co-directed by Spike Jonze, the film, shot over a number of years, mostly consists of interviews between the author and director. Jonze (who was occasionally assisted by Wild Things actress Catherine Keener) prods Sendak to recall events–equal parts heartwarming and disturbing–that inspired his work. While these vivid anecdotes don't explain everything, they reveal some of the origins of the famously dangerous edge to Sendak's work, iconic stories that manage to celebrate childhood without condescending to his audience. "Why is my needle stuck in childhood? I don't know," he tells Jonze, adding "I guess that's where my heart is." Although the director reamins mostly behind the camera, the documentary sings when he ventures in front of the camera to confront Sendak about his consistently pessimistic view of the world: At one point, Jonze asks "What would you say if someone says you were going to live another twenty years?" to which Sendak replies, "I would say give me ten, and we got a deal."

Tell Them Anything premiered last night on HBO. It is available on HBO On Demand.