American Splendor (2003)
"These slacks don't make me look dumpy--what are you talking about?"
Starring: |
Paul Giamatti |
Released By: |
HBO Video |
Released In: |
2003 |
Rated: |
R |
Reviewed By: |
Adam Mast |
Grade: |
A- |
Primarily known for American Slendor, an insightful comic book that he collaborated on with Robert Crumb, Harvey Pekar was an interesting fellow who'd pass his time reading, writing and listening to jazz. Before meeting Crumb, he was a lonely burnout with a bored life, but with American Splendor becoming more and more popular, and the addition of a girlfriend, Pekar would soon become a burnout in love.
American Splendor is a fantastically entertaining film in the tradition of Ghost World.
Paul Giamatti gets more interesting with each performance, and he's a perfect fit for Pekar's eccentricities.
Film makers Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini have crafted a funny and sometimes tender look at love and creativity. From their innovative opening comic book credits sequence to the stylized inner cutting of actual Pekar interview footage, American Splendor is a film that works on many levels.
Quite frankly, I never would have believed that Pekar was as odd as he's portrayed in the film, but we are given interview sessions of the actual man that prove he was that odd.
From the creation of American Splendor to several guest spots on David Letterman, Pekar was an interesting guy with an interesting life. American Splendor gives us a glimpse into that life, and I loved every second of it.
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