What Is It?


What Is It? is a 2005 American surrealist film written, edited, co-produced and directed by Crispin Glover and starring Crispin Glover, Fairuza Balk, and Steven C. Stewart. As of 2008, the film has only been shown at independent theaters, typically accompanied by a question-and-answer session, a one-hour dramatic narration of eight different profusely illustrated books as a slideshow, and a meet-and-greet/book signing with Glover.
What Is It? is the first entry in a planned trilogy directed by Glover, followed by It Is Fine! Everything Is Fine. and continued with It Is Mine.

Synopsis

The "adventures" of a young man with Down syndrome whose principal interests are snails, salt, a pipe, and how to get home, who is tormented by a hubristic, racist inner psyche.

Reception

The film had received a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10.