Rent American Splendor for FREE

Start your 14 day FREE trial » Find out more

+70,000 other titles and counting

NO late fees or long term contracts - cancel anytime
FREE first class post for DVD, Blu-ray & Games rental
1000's of films to stream instantly to your PC, TV or PS3^TM at no extra cost

American Splendor Reviews

2003

60
from 16,988 members

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

Sign up American Splendor DVD

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Critic's review of American Splendor
View all critics' reviews (6)
- 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.
- 33392
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:43
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of American Splendor
View all members' reviews (185)
- - 58
  - 6
  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 ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 5469
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Gonzo Soul
  - The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge
  - 06 May 2004 at 13:31
Most recent members' reviews of American Splendor
View all members' reviews (185)
- - 0
  - 0
  American Splendid
  
  Life-hating Cleveland filing clerk decides to document his dreary existence in comic book form and achieves fame if not exactly fortune. Droll comedy is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1089781
- - Oldbloke
  - 221 reviews
  - Sidmouth
  - 07 Feb 2012 at 14:22
- - 0
  - 0
  I wouldn't bother
  
  A little dull. I wouldn't really bother. I will believe the reviews I read in future. I wouldn't have got this dvd if I took the reviews into account.
  
  Report this review
- 1047068
- - Jumoak
  - 9 reviews
  - 02 Oct 2011 at 21:35
- - 1
  - 0
  Good Watch
  
  Inventive film with just about enough to enjoy even if you know nothing of the subject. A touch over sentimental but good acting all round helps with the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 950824
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Ell1981
  - 169 reviews
  - London
  - 04 Jan 2011 at 17:20
- - 0
  - 4
  Terrible Film
  
  The film was absolutely terrible, we were waiting for the film to actually start and by a 3rd of the way through we'd had enough of it and turned it off, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 923949
- - samsjubblies
  - 17 reviews
  - Redditch
  - 16 Sep 2010 at 10:56
- - 1
  - 2
  American Splendor
  
  Matches the billing of being mundane so not very entertaining. If you have the time to psychoanalyse its fine but not really for me.
  
  Report this review
- 886365
- - a customer
  - england
  - 25 Apr 2010 at 07:17
- - 1
  - 0
  Paul Giamatti IS Harvey Pekar
  
  I chose this movie on the basis of Paul Giamatti being in it, who I always find entertaining and highly watchable, even in the most average of movies. This, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 859745
- - Robinski
  - 132 reviews
  - Glasgow
  - 09 Feb 2010 at 21:04
- - 0
  - 0
  Different
  
  I love Paul Giamatti he can do no wrong. Unique story well told
  
  Report this review
- 803075
- - a customer
  - Gateshead
  - 26 Aug 2009 at 13:28
- - 0
  - 0
  Dorks make for the best protagonists. Or maybe I just say that because I can relate...
  
  Just as the eponymous comic may have introduced fiction into a 'documentary', this film blurs the lines between fiction and reality - breaking into '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 781742
- - Bezman
  - 82 reviews
  - Glasgow
  - 09 Jul 2009 at 13:25
- - 0
  - 0
  Fantastic
  
  I am not a cartoon buff or geek in any way, nor is Jon - but we both loved this film. Paul Giamotti is superbly cast in his role and steals the show. Wonderful... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 745324
- - Jonsgirlfriend
  - 7 reviews
  - Manchester
  - 20 Apr 2009 at 09:31
- - 0
  - 0
  I wanted to like this ...
  
  This came recommended to me and although I appreciated the conceit I nearly died of boredom and gave up watching halfway through. If it gets better after that ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 743644
- - a customer
  - Ceredigion, UK
  - 15 Apr 2009 at 19:56
View all members' reviews (185)

- - 58
  - 6
  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 ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 5469
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Gonzo Soul
  - The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge
  - 06 May 2004 at 13:31
- - 30
  - 2
  A minor masterpiece
  
  American Splendor is one of those rare films that defies expectation.
  
  Actor Paul Giamatti captures the true essence of comic book curmudgeon Harvey ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 304135
- - brundlefly
  - London
  - 28 May 2004 at 03:13
- - 28
  - 3
  Not to be missed
  
  This is an absolute corker. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll laugh until you cry. The film contains splendid performances from its main ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 6639
- - Stuart Glossop
  - Leeds England
  - 29 May 2004 at 15:34
- - 15
  - 1
  Interesting...
  
  Ok straight away I admit I had no knowledge of the comics that the film was referring to. However, that didn't disrupt my enjoyment of the movie...there is... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 8321
- - Ookster
  - Chesterfield
  - 24 Jun 2004 at 13:04
- - 13
  - 1
  American what? I was pleased to find out
  
  Never heard of the film, never heard of the comic 'American Splendor', not a big comic fan either, so I wasn't expecting much at all, in fact I ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 16648
- - Adam
  - Kent
  - 01 Sep 2004 at 09:27
- - 9
  - 4
  American Beauty !!
  
  Great little movie, which won't appeal to everyone, but is a worthy view.
  
  Excellent staring performance from Paul Giamatti as our hero, Harvey ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 23599
- - Paul Jay
  - London, England
  - 31 Oct 2004 at 11:44
- - 8
  - 1
  Quirky and interesting
  
  I didn't know anything about the American Splendor comics but was attracted by the promise of a quirky biopic. It's always more interesting when the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 306759
- - blurgirl
  - London
  - 21 Jul 2004 at 19:35
- - 7
  - 0
  Original, funny, moving brilliance
  
  This biopic of a small guy struggling through a dull world is filled with the wit and wisdom that made Pekar's comics so good in the first place.
  read more »
  
  Report this review
- 12134
- - Melon
  - East Sussex
  - 24 Jul 2004 at 20:49
- - 6
  - 2
  Hmmmmm....
  
  I was expecting quite a lot from this film having seen the trailer and thought it looked interesting - as usual the trailer was better than the film! An 'ok... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 8409
- - a customer
  - South coast
  - 26 Jun 2004 at 13:40
- - 6
  - 2
  Wierdness
  
  I guess you have to be a fan of the comics to actually appreciate this movie,
  
  I tried really hard to get into it but just found it odd and slow.read more »
  
  Report this review
- 354731
- - lukekey
  - Somerset
  - 08 Dec 2005 at 12:34

< Prev
1
2
3
4
5
...
» of 19
Next >

Critics' reviews
- 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.
- 33392
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:43
- Hugely enjoyable and very clever portrait of Harvey Pekar, a nerdy Cleveland hospital worker who happens to have become... read more on Time Out
- 46668
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:17
- "...One of the strangest and richly satisfying films of the year..." (Mark Eccleston)
- 12352
- - Glamour Magazine
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 13:00
- "...Remarkable! Acutely funny, sad and moving..."
- 12354
- - The Sun
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 13:00
- "...Unique, audacious and hilarious..."
- 12355
- - Uncut
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 13:00
- "...Brilliant, a unique experience..."
- 12353
- - Hot Dog Magazine
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 13:00

Agree or disagree? Write your own review

Review title: Give it a rating:

Write your review:

Tips for writing helpful reviews

Only review titles you've actually seen!
Talk about what you liked and disliked
Compare this title with other similar titles
Provide plenty of detail - at least 20 words
Space things out - use blank lines between paragraphs.
Be appropriate - no adult content, libellous statements or naughty words
Don't SPAM! No promoting of other websites or services
Don't plaguerise! Your submission must be your own original work
Don't talk about LOVEFiLM by name

Give it a title:

Tips for an eye catching title

Don't just repeat the name of the title you're reviewing
Don't summarise your entire review in one word - a minimum of 2 words please.
Give people a reason to read your full review - create a sense of intrigue or curiosity!

Keep me anonymous Keep me anonymous Contains spoiler? This review contains spoilers (or might spoil it for someone who hasn't seen it yet)

New users register here

Email address:
Password:
Preferred user name:
I agree to LOVEFiLMs Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
I'd like to receive film news and reviews as well as info about all the other good stuff LOVEFiLM offers

Already a member? Sign in here

Email address:
Password:Forgotten password?

By clicking Preview review you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- 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. ...