Ryan

Chris Landreth introduces himself to us in a funky restroom and then introduces the film’s subject, Ryan Larkin, a brilliant animator in the 1960s and early 1970s. Chris shows us clips of “Walking” and “Street Musique,” Ryan’s ground-breaking shorts. We now see Ryan as he is: emaciated, alcoholic, much of his mind gone; we meet Felicity Fanjoy, his love during his creative period, and Derek Lamb, his producer. Ryan talks to Chris in the dining hall of what is probably a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Chris tries an intervention. We follow Ryan out into the street where he panhandles. The animation, which uses live footage, reveals the ravaged burned-out graceful man.