American Splendor

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DVD Features Video: 1.85:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital Stereo Audio Commentary With Directors and Cast DVD Rom Features Easter Eggs Interactive Menus Special “My Movie Year” 8 Page Comic Insert Theatrical Trailer Theatrical release:1/20/2003 DVD released on 2/3/2004 by HBO Video Running time of 101 minutes Starring: Hope Davis, Paul Giamatti Director: Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer-Berman Plot: Based on the life and work of underground comic book writer Harvey Pekar-a prickly poet of the mundane who knows all the strategizing in the world can’t save a guy from picking the wrong supermarket checkout line.

American Splendor is an unusual film about ordinary life that’s filled with unusual people. Its a biographical tale about one man, the perpetually grumpy slob Harvey Pekar. He considers himself a lonely loser, stuck in his nine to five day job as a file clerk at the VA, twice married and he’s lost his voice. The only thing he’s got left is his enormous record collection and a love for comic books. He’s always been unhappy and bitter about the cards that life dealt him, and he thinks he is a nobody, I think probably even today after this film came out. He doesn’t realize how extraordinary his life has become, that it really is something notable. Fed up with life, he is inspired by a friend of his to write a comic book about his life, documenting the everyday mundane ups and downs he experiences. Eventually, the book becomes an underground sensation, and he becomes a quasi celebrity, yet he doesn’t really want it. From the comic book to a stage play to this movie, Harvey still doesn’t seem happy with the way his life has turned out.

It would be hard to compare this film to other movies because its such an unusual gem. The closest I could come up with would be maybe its a cross between About Schmidt and Rushmore. This film has a good mix of humor and drama, and is interspersed with animation that makes it look like the pages of a comic book. But what makes this a great film is all the wonderful characters that surround Harvey. It also takes the story one step further, by actually showing us the real Harvey Pekar.

In between the dramatization of the story, the film pauses to talk with the real Harvey Pekar, and he shares his views about what he thinks of the movie, or certain parts of his personal history. They also use the original footage from all his David Letterman appearances, so you are getting the real deal. The directors skillfully crafted together a drama with a documentary, and makes it seamlessly flow in and out from real life to staged.

Harvey’s onscreen persona is played by the talented Paul Giamatti. I’ve always considered him to be a second tier character actor, playing small one dimensional bit parts. But in here, his skill flourishes. He was so immersed into being Harvey, it was hard to tell them apart. Because of his performance in this film I think people will take a second look at Paul as a serious actor.

The subject matter is very gritty, and as such, the picture itself comes across as gritty and washed out, to keep the documentary feel. The transfer isn’t bad, it has a soundtrack that’s been mixed in nicely. The music is a great accompaniment to the film. There aren’t that many extras included with this disc, but there is the basic stuff that’s worth a look. There is a group commentary with pretty much everyone involved in the film, and its also quite entertaining to listen to.

The menus are nicely animated in the style of the comic book, and if you dig around you can find a funny cookie in there. Also included with the disc is a mini comic book, “My Movie Year”, which provides more insight into Harvey. For such a small film they put in quite a bit. I thoroughly enjoyed American Splendor and I think that most people will also find this film touching and entertaining at the same time.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!