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American Splendor (2003) New
Line Cinema, 1 hr. 40 mins.
Starring:
Paul Giamatti, Hope Davis, James Urbaniak, Harvey Pekar, Judah Friedlander
Directed by:
Shari Springer Berman, Bob Pulcini, Robert Pulcini |
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Shari Springer Berman and Robert
Pulcini previous film success include an engrossing documentary called
“Off The Menu: The Last Days of Chasen’s” find themselves back with
another huge indie film winner. “American Splendor” is a rare documentary
treat about a lonely guy who lives just a day-to-day life.
The subject matter follows the day and the life of one terminably
depressed Harvey Pekar. The film takes you on a trip through one man’s
mediocre life style even through good times that came far and between. A
friend of master comic bookman Robert Crumb, whose example made way for
success with Pekar and his new, found fame. Pekar who really didn’t look
like he had much to offer anyone, sat down, and started writing his own
comic. “American Splendor” was born and offered up a whole new world for
Pekar and his not so perky life that he was living. Harvey Pekar played by
the extremely talented actor Paul Giamatti whose roles include: “Saving
Private Ryan”, “Private Parts”, and one of my personal favorite films “Man
on the Moon”. Pekar (Giamatti) puts his everyday life on paper then
publishes it for everyone to read. What is so intelligent about this film
they have the people who have experienced Harvey’s life in person.
The film balances itself between reality and fiction letting both sides’
open doors to let the other side take a peak. You can see footage of Pekar
on the Letterman show, the NBC footage mixed with the fiction adds
dimension. There are a few scenes in the film where Giamatti is entering
to do the program, but before you know it you are watching the original
airing of the program.
Overall, “American Splendor” is a documentary that deserves your utmost
attention. When mainstream cinema are still sitting around coming up with
films that drown you in boredom. There are film like “American Splendor”
that you can honestly say that a lot of time and effort went into this
documentary mast erpiece. Even when someone is living just an ordinary
life it’s what you do to make it an extraordinary one. |
