Given the large amount of publicity surrounding the release of almost all films in today's artistic environment, it becomes harder and harder to see a film and be genuinely surprised. However, that was just the case when I had the pleasure of seeing "The Life of Reilly" at the South Keystone Art Cinema.

It is a darling, poignant film of Charles Nelson Reilly's last live one-man show that took place in Hollywood in 1999. (He died May 27, 2007.) Drawing on antidotes and experiences from his rich life, Reilly's performance is as moving and colorful as it is genuinely funny.

Part of Reilly's strength was a keen sense of self awareness. Using film clips, people are seen being asked the question, "Do you know who Charles Nelson Reilly is?" The typical response was either, "Wasn't he the guy on that quiz show" or "Is he still alive?"

Reilly plays directly to these perceptions, and in the process shows that there was far more to this fine thespian than generally met the public eye. For example, how many of you know of his success on Broadway, performing in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", for which he earned a Tony Award, and "Hello, Dolly!", for which he picked up a Tony nomination.

However, the most moving parts of his performance concerns life lessons he learned along the way. First among them was how to deal with the fact that he was one of the few actors of his age who did not hide the fact that he was gay.

In that regard, he tells a troubling but revealing tale of his first interview with the president of NBC. During that short meeting, he was directly told, "Queers would never be allowed to appear on TV." It is a telling tale about the strength of Reilly's character that, rather than boil in rage at this slur, he redoubled his resolve to prove him wrong.

And that he did. In roles ranging from multiple appearances on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" to such TV series as "The Match Game", Reilly wove his homosexuality into his public persona. In so doing, he along with Paul Lynde forced Middle America to take a tiny peek into a social closet that had been all but slammed shut to that point.

But of all Reilly's tales, I found one to have profound meaning to us all. He told the story of growing up in a modest home in the Bronx in the 1930's. His father, an accomplished artist working for Paramount Studios in New York, was approached by another artist who wanted him to join his new studio in California. Reilly's father asked for time to consult with his wife.

When his father returned home and talked to his wife, Reilly's mother told him that he was a dreamer and a fool. Noting that all of their relatives were located on the east coast, she declared that they would never be leaving for California. Reilly paused, looked at the camera, and said, "And so my dad sadly went to see Walt Disney and tell him that he would not be joining him in California."

Reilly closed this poignant story with a quote from Emily Dickinson. He noted that she described having two sisters, "One living in the state of Massachusetts, and the other living in the state of regret." He lamented that his talented father spent the rest of his life regretting what could have been.

That was a heart breaking tale that everyone can learn from. And it was such stories that Reilly magically wove together into a compelling one man performance.

Do yourself a favor and take the time to see this splendid little movie. Not only will you be patronizing the last really independent art theater left in Indianapolis, but what better time than the holiday season is there to enrich one's spirit.