A Man Named Pearl

Comment: A wonderful movie about a wonderful man.

Pearl Fryar (and his lovely wife Metra) are two of the sweetest and most truly humble people you'll ever find. As much as I loved Pearl's topiary creations, what really touched me here is the truly unconditional love these two share. You can't fake this kind of connection; look at her eyes when she talks about him, and look at the gentleman he becomes in her presence. The entire world should have someone they love who loves them as much as the Fryars. It's just heartwarming to be in their presence, even via film.

And it's a real treat to watch Pearl's love of nature and gardening transform those who come to view his three-acre slice of heaven, sliced by Pearl himself and certainly watched over by many green angels. The busloads of old ladies and young schoolkids and everyone in between are visibly moved because they can see and feel the love of the man in the plants, and his very individual vision. As some of the gardening experts say at the beginning, he shouldn't be able to do all this...this and that tree don't grow well here...yet there it is, a garden as perfect as Versailles in its own small, quiet way.

I think it works and grows and moves people because of the love so clearly on display. Trees and plants feel that love just as people do, and Pearl's love extends from his family (it's tough to separate his home, wife, and plants, they all seem of an exquisitely peaceful piece) to the people and his community, his church and his God. Yet few churches have the vibrant life and joy that emanates from Pearl's yard, and his very strong intention that it move and soothe others has clearly borne fruit on a level hard to imagine yet easy to fathom. How many small towns can you name that are famous for someone's yard? I can think of only one, and the unforced, sincere love and respect the people of Bishopville show for Pearl makes questions of race fade away, and truths about love and determination move happily to the fore.

Pearl is clearly a very wise human being, a wisdom with a special flavor imparted by decades of caring for both trees and people. He says many simple, startlingly accurate things that resonate long after the film is over, and by the end it's hard not to see him as rather more enlightened than most of us. When he casually mentions that he'd never use chemicals in his garden, it makes sense in a way that a long treatise on organics might not. The endless singing of birds suggests that somewhere, St. Francis of Assisi is smiling.

I watch movies not so much to be entertained, but to be moved, informed, and above all transported in some heartfelt way. A Man Named Pearl did all of those almost effortlessly. The gentle jazz score couldn't be more apt (nice job by composer Fred Story, and kudos to Phil Thompson for some lovely tenor sax moments), the film moves with the assurance and ease of a bird flying from tree to tree, the directors remain invisible and keep our hero squarely in the spotlight, the film moves with the assurance and ease of a bird flying from tree to tree, and the whole thing just feels right: unassuming, intelligent and authentic.

I've seen a lot of documentaries about a lot of subjects, and when it comes to movies on great Americans, I'd have to say my three favorites are now Ken Burns' Mark Twain, Ric Burns' Ansel Adams, and Galloway/Pearson's A Man Named Pearl.

Watch this movie. You'll be glad you did, and you'll never forget Pearl Fryar.

Comment: I purchased this DVD to show at the church's adult forum on Sunday morning. Everyone loved Pearl. The Christian Formation director cancelled her planned class and showed it to the Confirmation Class right away. Now, we will be showing it to all of the Women's Circle groups. Thank you, Pearl, for being the wonderful man you are! You are an inspiration.

Comment: This is much more than a "hearwarmer" - it seems that every one who knows Mr Fryar is moved by his honest life. Almost everyone who speaks is offering simple but wise insight into what makes a fulfilling life - passion, the passion that gets you up every morning to do what need to be done. I have shown this movie to my high school art classes AND to the staff. Everybody needs a dose of Pearl.

Comment: I can't say enough about this wonderful dvd--everyone should watch it. It is
both compelling and inspiring and you will both laugh and cry and also be
amazed. documentary type film of an extraordinary man, and the impact he has had on his town.

Comment: We are tranplants from up north now living in beautiful Pinehurst, NC, so when we discovered this little gem of a story is right near us in SC we were thrilled. We intend to go visit Mr. Pearl Fryar and see his wonderful sculptured topiaries next year (2010)The story of his visions and risky endeavours and his neighbours and friends comments do much to make this film a truly worthwhile experience. Only wish it came in Blu Ray.