loading...
American Splendor
2003
Harvey Pekar, the hilariously downtrodden Cleveland comic book artist, is the subject of AMERICAN SPLENDOR, titled after Pekar's autobiographical series. Played by actor Paul Giamatti, Pekar also appears as himself, giving the film a documentary feeling with many behind-the-scenes on-set shots. Directors Shari Springer Berman .. Read more
| Starring | Paul Giamatti, Hope Davis, Chris Ambrose |
|---|---|
| Director | Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini |
| Genres | Drama |
loading...
American Splendor
Harvey Pekar, the hilariously downtrodden Cleveland comic book artist, is the subject of AMERICAN SPLENDOR, titled after Pekar's autobiographical series. Played by actor Paul Giamatti, Pekar also appears as himself, giving the film a documentary feeling with many behind-the-scenes on-set shots. Directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini maintain this balance between the actors and the real-life characters--Pekar's wife Joyce and workmate Toby also appear on set as themselves--while crafting a funny, difficult, heartwarming tale that encapsulates Pekar's life, work, and uniquely bizarre perspectives.
Peckar is a pessimistic file clerk with no hope of ever rising above his boring job, slobbish apartment, and bad attitude. Wonderfully set in his ways, Pekar's constant self-deprication is clearly a front for his prolific interests in music and art. When his friend Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak) gets his big break as a comic book artist, Pekar decides to try his hand at the craft. Though he can't illustrate, his stories are good, and Crumb agrees to help draw the pictures. Soon several artists are illustrating Pekar's American Splendor series, and the comic book's readership grows. The film continues through the events of Pekar's life--meeting wife Joyce Brabner, appearing on David Letterman, struggling with cancer, and adopting a daughter--always showing Pekar's no-frills approach to life. A creative and punchy film, AMERICAN SPLENDOR invites viewers into the odd world of Pekar and his comic-book antihero persona.
| Starring | Paul Giamatti, Hope Davis, Chris Ambrose |
|---|---|
| Director | Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini |
| Studio | HIGH FLIERS |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 37 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 21 May 2004 Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews (6)
View all -
The mundane life of a working-class everyman is celebrated in all its minor detail in this imaginative biopic of American underground comic-book writer Harvey Pekar. The first feature from documentary film-makers Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, it brilliantly captures the humanity and acidic humour of the Cleveland hospital filing clerk who turned his everyday experiences into the cult, autobiographical publication American Splendor. True to the spirit of this comic-book series, the sharp and quirky movie utilises a range of visually invigorating techniques to illustrate Harvey's existence, past and present. As well as including authentic archival footage, the directors present the curmudgeonly author in animated form, as his real-life self and, in the picture's main body, as a dramatised character. In this latter guise, Paul Giamatti gives a wry and endearing performance, while Hope Davis similarly excels as his sardonic soulmate and wife, Joyce. The combined result is a total delight that transforms an ordinary Joe into a genuine hero.
-
Occasionally engaging mix of drama and documentary, in which Harvey Pekar comments on his experiences and this movie; the collision between himself as he appears and as he is played by Giametti adds piquancy, but it often seems just ordinary.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
55 out of 61 people found this review helpful
Pekar Pie!!!
Wow!!!
This is a fantastic film, in my opinion, although its not going to be everybodies cup of char. I thought it was interesting how it manages to blur the different realities of real life, film and comic/animation. There is some great characters in there as well as some quite poignant and touching moments.
This is film is especailly interesting for people who love underground comix.
peace. gonz -
Most recent members' review
View all -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A triumph that shows both style and substance
I can guarantee that you will not have seen a movie like this before. A mixture of documentary, recreation of events past and the melding of the real with the cartoon world, this movie simply looks great.
The viewer ends up with a strong sense that Middle America is awash with oddball types who cannot string proper sentences together but somehow manage to find minor fame on national TV just for being themselves.
Given that several segments of the movie are given over to meeting the actual people that the actors are portraying, in which you get a real sense of how uncannily accurate the portrayals of themselves are, it even further cements the feeling that these people really exist, rather than just being overblown caricatures, enhanced in their weirdness for the sake of the movie.
It's all quite life-affirming really, especially when you realise how lucky you are to not have to work your entire life as a clerk in Cleveland. (Sorry to any clerks in Cleveland who read this). -
News and features
View all
Cinema release continues graphic novel tradition
- 22 Mar 2007
This week's cinematic release of 300, the story of an ancient battle and based on the graphic novel by Sin City author Frank Miller, is one in a long line of films which have been adapted for the big screen. With visually stunning, comic book-style graphics, Sin City adopted the illustrative features of Miller's book and turned it into an exciting and innovative full-length movie. However, many other films which have proved popular also come from graphic novels - but viewers may be unaware of... Read more
-
More like this
View all
Related user collection
Top Gay Films (21)
81% from 21 members
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
- American Splendor
- DVD: £5.43
Free Delivery - RRP £19.79 (you save: 73%)
Harvey Pekar, the hilariously downtrodden Cleveland comic book artist, is the subject of AMERICAN SPLENDOR, titled after Pekar's autobiographical series. Played by actor Paul Giamatti, Pekar also ... -