When viewing the film in the context of its creators' careers, one has to conclude that its success was the collaboration between Tim Burton's directorial prowess and Pee-Wee's fearless infantilism. This film ranks as a true classic. Many movies have been made about prison life, usually with sensationalistic treatment of physical violence or absurd plot developments. This film is different. It is quiet, measured and it accurately portrays prison life without resorting to gimmicks.
Art films are often hard to grasp and have as many layers as an artichoke.
This film succeeds. It's two main characters are absorbing, the surface narrative is comprehensible, and each underlying layer brings new enjoyment. Irene Jacobs, an ordinary girl working as a model, accidentally befriends a strange ex-judge who has taken to eavesdropping on his neighbors. The normal conventions of movie plot have no place here so everything you expect doesn't happen and odd things appear without warning. This film is best enjoyed as a dessert, eaten after a full course of film education.